LAKELAND – The competition for grocery shoppers interested in so-called “natural” and organic foods has ramped up since June, when Amazon announced its blockbuster purchase of Whole Foods, a pioneer in that market.
Publix Super Markets Inc. on Friday announced its new foray into the market with a three-store expansion of its GreenWise Market concept, the first expansion since the Lakeland-based chain introduced GreenWise stores in 2007. It had established the GreenWise brand of products in its traditional supermarkets earlier.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” said Larry Ross, emeritus professor of business at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, referring to the line between the Amazon deal and Friday’s announcement. “Everybody in the supermarket business is worried about Amazon and Whole Foods.”
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