NEW YORK, July 16, 2026, 17:26 EDT — U.S. cash markets ended trading at 16:00 EDT.
- Publix closed eight locations in the first quarter, with seven of those closures tied to store replacements.
- All four locations listed for 2026 are either being rebuilt or have a new facility nearby, according to widely shared information. Both Georgia locations are set to close in 2025.
- Publix reported flat comparable sales, behind Walmart NASDAQ:WMT which saw a 4.1% increase and Kroger NYSE:KR with a 1.0% rise. Reporting periods were not the same.
A widely shared list naming six Publix closures this week exaggerates the company’s pullback. Four locations will close in 2026, though each will receive a rebuild or has a replacement nearby. The remaining two shut down last year.
That caps the potential share gains for Walmart and Kroger from an investor perspective. With Publix remaining private, publicly traded peers offer the available tradeable comparison. The more significant takeaway is decelerating store momentum and rising expenses.
Publix posted first-quarter sales of $16.1 billion, an increase of 2%. Comparable-store sales remained flat. The operating margin declined to 8.0% from 8.5%.
Operating and administrative expenses increased to 18.8% of sales, up from 18.3%. Publix attributed the rise to higher payroll and facility expenditures. Pharmacy sales were also pressured by federal changes to drug pricing.
When discussing the quarter, CEO Kevin Murphy described associates as “the foundation of everything we do.” Despite this, payroll expenses increased as a percentage of sales. Publix
Net income dropped 21.5% to $794 million, primarily due to unrealized equity losses. When excluding those fluctuations, profit declined roughly 3% to $1.142 billion.
According to network data, the narrative diverges from the headlines. Between the start of the year and March 28, Publix launched seven new locations and shut down eight. Of those closures, seven were either already replaced or are set for replacement at the same location, representing 87.5%.
| Location | Closure date | Verified status |
|---|---|---|
| 5577 Park St. N., St. Petersburg, Florida | March 7, 2026 | A separate Publix in St. Petersburg launched operations five days after closing. |
| 8250 Mills Drive, Kendall, Florida | January 17, 2026 | The site will be demolished and replaced with a new Publix. |
| 208 St. James Ave., Goose Creek, South Carolina | January 17, 2026 | The entire store will be torn down and rebuilt. |
| 4711 Babcock St. NE, Palm Bay, Florida | July 11, 2026 | Project plans feature a replacement Publix as part of the redevelopment. |
| 1380 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia | December 27, 2025 | No explanation for the closure was provided by Publix. |
| 2562 Shallowford Road NE, Chamblee, Georgia | December 27, 2025 | No explanation for the closure was provided by Publix. |
The table does not show any definite 2026 market exit for these four locations. Additionally, two separate reports associated the Georgia locations with 2026 shutdowns, but in fact, both closed on December 27, 2025.
Publix spokesperson Jared Glover stated that the Goose Creek location will provide an “enhanced shopping experience” thanks to added amenities. He emphasized that this is a modernization effort, not a market closure. Berkeley Observer
Peer sales remain key indicators. Walmart U.S. reported a 4.1% increase in comparable sales as of April 30. Kroger’s identical sales, excluding fuel, were up 1.0% through May 23. Publix sales were unchanged through March 28. Note, the comparison is indicative, given the differing periods.
Publix increased its capital expenditures to $674 million in the first quarter, compared with $465 million previously. Executives project an additional $1.7 billion in spending for 2026.
The retailer launched 52 new locations and shut down 10 last year, leading to a net gain of 42 stores. Of the closures, six are pending replacement at the same sites.
The week highlighted opposing trends: Palm Bay shut down on July 11 for redevelopment, while Publix on Thursday reopened a 54,964-square-foot location in Winter Haven.
Publix’s official calendar on Thursday showed Mills River, North Carolina, slated for August 12 as the next opening. No openings were listed for July 20-24.
Risks: Publix’s most recent reported store closure tally is current as of March 28; any subsequent net-store projections are provisional. Ongoing construction slowdowns or sustained rises in payroll and facility costs may reduce returns.
For investors in public grocery firms, the closure list provides scant indication of straightforward share upside. The main takeaway is operational: Publix is holding its ground at locations even as comparable sales stagnate and profit margins tighten.
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