If Publix could acquire quality stores from Southeastern Grocers, they could be BI-LO stores in North Carolina and South Carolina that are in good locations and/or good performers.wnetmacman wrote:I don't think the window has closed. To get quality stores, that ship sailed long ago. I can't see Publix getting (or wanting) any. Albertsons would have to make some divestitures in Louisiana (specifically, Baton Rouge and Lafayette) to do it. Kroger wouldn't have to do much at all FTC-wise, as they no longer have significant overlap with WD or Bi-Lo, but as you mention, they seem to only want to expand with Marketplace stores and H-T.
A number of Rouses stores are housed in former Winn Dixie stores. That has been a form of expansion for them recently; Ponchatoula was actually offered to them. I'm not sure of the AL and MS stores, as they don't seem to be heavily expanding there as they are in Louisiana.
LeBlanc's is no more. The only changes left to do were in signage, just due to the time they needed to get them ordered, made and installed.
The pharmacy in Lockport is indeed their only one; Lockport is a bit more isolated than most of their other stores geographically. I wouldn't expect them to expand it further unless the opportunity was really good. They are not a pharmacy operator.
Not having a pharmacy beyond one store could hurt Rouse's if Publix expands into Louisiana. Investing into and expanding pharmacy operations is a decision Rouse's will need to make.