New grocery store chains are popping up in various areas of Florida and are engaging in an intense competition for real estate, shopping center space, and ultimately the consumers’ grocery spending. While regional powerhouse Publix Supermarkets continues to hold a substantial lead in the Sunshine State, Walmart has greatly increased its grocery share through supercenters, Neighborhood Market format growth, and an overall increased focus on food offerings. A recent Tampa Bay Times story quoted Chuck Taylor, senior vice president at Madison Marquette and the Florida director of the International Council of Shopping Centers, stating “There are so many brands trying to compete. It’s definitely a war, and it’s just starting.”
The overall population in Florida is growing steadily, and some major metro areas including Tampa, Orlando, and Miami house generous portions of middle and upper middle income families. There is growth here; however retail space in desirable areas is becoming limited.
The Tampa, FL core-based statistical area (CBSA) is a good example of a growing, diverse market with new grocery entrants that have made recent gains in grocery market share. Data from Chain Store Guide’s 2015 Grocery Industry Market Share Report shows Publix as the number one grocery operator by a large margin; however Whole Foods, Trade Joe’s, and The Fresh Market have made year over year increases.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER, FL CBSA
Counties: HERNANDO, HILLSBOROUGH, PASCO, PINELLAS – FL
| Company Name |
Area Stores |
Current Market Share |
Previous Stores |
Previous Market Share |
| Publix Super Markets Inc.: LAKELAND, FL |
113 |
40.6% |
110 |
40.3% |
| Walmart Stores Inc.: BENTONVILLE, AR |
31 |
17.5% |
28 |
17.2% |
| Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.: JACKSONVILLE, FL |
74 |
14.0% |
36 |
7.2% |
| Sam’s Club: BENTONVILLE, AR |
10 |
7.1% |
10 |
7.7% |
| Walmart Neighborhood Market: BENTONVILLE, AR |
18 |
3.4% |
12 |
2.8% |
| Target Corporation: MINNEAPOLIS, MN |
19 |
2.8% |
19 |
3.0% |
| Costco Wholesale Corp.: ISSAQUAH, WA |
2 |
2.7% |
2 |
2.8% |
| SUPERVALU Inc.: EDEN PRAIRIE, MN |
33 |
1.5% |
34 |
1.5% |
| Dollar General Corp.: GOODLETTSVILLE, TN |
90 |
1.4% |
74 |
1.2% |
| Whole Foods Market Inc.: AUSTIN, TX |
3 |
1.4% |
2 |
0.9% |
| Family Dollar Stores Inc.: MATTHEWS, NC |
100 |
1.2% |
100 |
1.2% |
| Aldi Inc.: BATAVIA, IL |
14 |
1.1% |
13 |
1.1% |
| BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc.: WESTBOROUGH, MA |
2 |
1.1% |
2 |
1.2% |
| Trader Joe’s Co.: MONROVIA, CA |
2 |
0.7% |
1 |
0.3% |
| The Fresh Market Inc.: GREENSBORO, NC |
5 |
0.6% |
4 |
0.5% |
| Albertson’s LLC: BOISE, ID |
2 |
0.6% |
2 |
0.5% |
| Gordon Food Service Store: GRAND RAPIDS, MI |
4 |
0.5% |
4 |
0.5% |
| Other operations |
121 |
1.8% |
123 |
1.8% |
