Your supermarket is rolling out new things this year. What to expect at Miami stores

What’s new at the supermarket?

Sure, there are the traditions that continue: produce section, dairy shelves, bakery.

But there are also more self-checkout lines and in-store cafes

What can you expect at your South Florida grocery store in 2024? Here’s a rundown:

Supermarket mergers

Discount grocer Aldi acquired the traditional Winn-Dixie from its Jacksonville-based parent company Southeastern Grocers in 2023. The deal is expected to close in early 2024.

Kroger announced a $24.6 billion merger proposal with Albertsons in October 2022 with an eye toward early 2024 for the deal to go forward if approved. In December, Kroger told the Federal Trade Commission that it has met all the antitrust law requirements to win approval, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported.

Though an early 2024 time frame may not happen, but if approved, “there would be massive retail media implications,” Supermarket News reports. The combined grocers would have a reach of over 85 million households and rival national market leader Walmart.

Supermarket supersizing

READ MORE: Publix is opening four supermarkets in January. What to know about the new stores

Publix stores are getting bigger, either through new stores or demolition and rebuilding. The Florida-based chain just opened a store in Key Largo with more than 64,000 square feet, much bigger than the typical new store with 48,000 square feet.

And the trend can be seen in the Kendall area at the Briar Bay Publix across the street from The Falls, which was torn down in August. Plans indicate that the shuttered 32,000-square-foot Publix will grow into a two-story, 56,070-square-foot grocery store. Publix would not say when a rebuilt store will open.

Some new Publix stores in Florida also are more than 50,000 square feet, leaving more room for BOGOs, grab-and-go items, grocery store cafes and self-checkouts.

Publix is building a waterfront supermarket in Hollywood. The company hasn’t released an opening date for the store, which is on the Intracoastal. When plans were announced for the store in 2018, to be built on a vacant lot at 3100 S. Ocean Dr. north of the Diplomat hotel, Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy excitedly said the coming Publix would have cafe tables…