Publix, Walmart, or Kroger Delivery? 14 Differences That Make Floridians Pick a Favorite Grocery Store

Floridians have more grocery options than ever, and Publix, Walmart, and Kroger each take a different approach.

One feels like a neighborhood market, one runs like a mega-center, and one skips the storefront completely.

If you’re not already a diehard fan of one of these grocery stores (and even if you are), here are the pros and cons you need to know about Publix, Walmart, and Kroger Delivery.

Delivery

The single biggest difference between Publix, Walmart, and Kroger is that in Florida, Kroger only offers a delivery service. In contrast, Publix and Walmart offer in-store and delivery services.

Here’s the breakdown about how delivery works at each of these stores.

Kroger Doesn’t Have Stores in Florida, Only Delivery

If you’ve never stepped inside a Kroger in Florida, that’s because they don’t exist.

Florida’s version of Kroger operates through an online-only delivery model using high-tech fulfillment centers to ship groceries directly to your door.

Rather than pulling items off shelves in a nearby store, Kroger uses massive warehouses stocked specifically for online orders. Workers pack everything up with speed and precision, then drivers deliver it to homes in refrigerated trucks.

That model means items are almost always in stock and arrive cold.

But it also means you can’t return something in person or call your local store for help.

It’s delivery-only, all the time, which works well for some but feels distant for others.

Publix Relies on Instacart Shoppers, Not Publix Employees

When you place a delivery order from Publix, your groceries aren’t packed by Publix employees.

Instead, Instacart handles the entire process, from selecting your items to dropping them off at your door.

This can be convenient, but it also adds a layer of unpredictability.

Some shoppers are incredibly careful, texting you about substitutions and checking expiration dates. Others rush through the job and toss dented cans or bruised produce into the bag.

Because of the Instacart partnership, delivery pricing and fees are set through their platform.

That also means tipping expectations are higher, since your shopper is a gig worker operating independently of Publix itself.

Now that we’ve covered the big difference in delivery between Publix, Walmart, and Kroger, here are some other ways these grocery store chains differ.

Walmart Uses Its Own Staff for Pickup and Delivery

Walmart’s model is more streamlined than Publix’s.

In many cases, store employees handle your online order directly. They walk the aisles, pick your groceries, and prepare them for pickup or delivery.

Then, depending on your area, either a Walmart driver or a third-party partner drops them off.

This in-house control means substitutions are often smarter and items tend to be better packed. Employees have full access to the store’s inventory, so you’re more likely to get what you ordered even if something isn’t on the shelf.

The experience feels more connected than Publix’s Instacart model. If there’s a mistake, you can contact the store directly rather than going through a third-party app.

Publix Feels Polished and Calm

Walk into a Publix and you’ll immediately notice how clean and organized it feels.

The lighting is balanced between being soft on the eyes but bright enough to read nutrition labels, the shelves are tidy, and the music is set to a mellow hum.

Employees often greet you with a warm smile, and the carts rarely have that annoying wobbly wheel.

Publix isn’t the cheapest store, but it doesn’t try to be (minus its BOGO deals).

You’re paying for an experience that feels consistent and pleasant. For people who enjoy the ritual of grocery shopping, Publix delivers on atmosphere and service.

Walmart Is a Sensory Overload

Walmart stores are a completely different world from Publix. The lighting is harsher, the aisles are wider, and the crowds are bigger.

It can be loud, fast, and unpredictable, especially on weekends or after 5 p.m.

There’s also the sheer size of it. You might go in for eggs and leave two hours later with car oil, pajamas, and a pack of lightbulbs.

It’s part of Walmart’s appeal, but also part of the chaos.

If you’re comfortable navigating the hustle, you can get everything you need for less than Publix and potentially less than Kroger.

And if you don’t mind the hustle and bustle, Walmart delivers big on selection compared to the other two.

Kroger Doesn’t Have Stores in Florida at All

Unlike Publix and Walmart, you won’t find a single Kroger store in Florida.

All Kroger shopping is done online. You fill your virtual cart, select your delivery window, and wait for a refrigerated truck to show up at your door.

Every order is packed by workers in a warehouse, not by personal shoppers in a local store.

That model means you can’t run in for a last-minute item. You also can’t inspect your produce, choose your steak cut, or browse new seasonal items.

It’s convenient, but it takes the sensory and social parts out of grocery shopping completely.

For busy households or people who hate the grocery store experience, Kroger’s system feels efficient and modern. But for anyone who enjoys touching their tomatoes before buying them, it’ll feel like something is missing.

Publix Employees Make a Big Difference

One of the most beloved parts of Publix is the staff. From the deli workers slicing meat just the way you like it to the baggers who offer to carry your groceries to the car, the human touch is everywhere.

If you ask where something is, they don’t point. They walk you there.

If you have an issue, a manager solves it quickly without making you feel like a bother.

Even the cashiers are known for small talk, and they thank you by name if you’re a regular. That level of personal care keeps Floridians coming back.

Walmart Has Lower Prices

There’s no question that Walmart wins the price war compared to Publix. And it often wins the price war compared to Kroger.

You can stretch a grocery budget further at this big-box chain than almost anywhere else. The store brands are cheap, the weekly deals are aggressive, and the selection is massive.

But with those savings often comes less service. It’s not that Walmart employees aren’t helpful; they’re just usually stretched thin.

You might have to hunt for someone to unlock a case or answer a question. And self-checkout is often the best option if you don’t want to spend 20 minutes waiting in line for a real cashier.

If you’re okay with a grab-and-go approach, Walmart can save you serious money.

But if you value warm customer service and personalized help, it won’t feel the same as Publix and certainly not Kroger, which offers no face-to-face service.

Kroger’s Warehouse Model Offers Consistency, Not Conversation

Shopping with Kroger Delivery is typically smooth, but it’s impersonal. You don’t speak to a cashier, you don’t browse the bakery, and you definitely don’t strike up a conversation in the produce section.

Everything happens through the app or website. You tap a few buttons, choose your delivery window, and wait.

A driver drops it off, sometimes with a smile, sometimes with a text. That’s the extent of your human interaction.

For some shoppers, that’s ideal. No small talk, no carts, no lines. Just groceries appearing on your porch.

But it also means if something goes wrong—a broken egg carton, a missing item—you can’t walk into a store and fix it in person.

Publix Stores Are Designed to Make You Stay Longer

From the soft lighting to the inviting bakery smells, Publix stores are intentionally welcoming. Everything is clean, well-stocked, and designed to slow you down, not rush you out.

The layout encourages browsing. The seasonal displays are neat, not overwhelming. Even the music is picked to be easy on the ears.

You might walk in for milk and leave with a bottle of wine and a hot dinner from the deli.

That can be a positive or a negative, depending on your time and budget.

For shoppers who like to linger, Publix knows exactly how to keep you there longer. But if you have a strict grocery budget, it’s often harder to stick to it compared to, say, Kroger Delivery, where products can’t tempt you with their beautiful sights and delicious smells.

Walmart Focuses on Speed and Bulk

While Publix encourages you to slow down, Walmart does the opposite. Their store layout is more about covering ground quickly.

Bright signs point you to major sections, and many aisles are stacked sky-high with bulk buys.

You’re more likely to fill your cart with essentials in record time. It’s designed for efficiency, not ambiance. There’s less focus on store design and more on stocking as many products as possible.

Walmart knows its audience. If your goal is to save money and knock out a week’s worth of errands in one trip, this setup works great.

Kroger Delivery Removes the Store Experience Entirely

Kroger doesn’t try to create a cozy shopping experience, because there isn’t one. You won’t see a bakery, hear a song, or smell fresh rotisserie chicken. Your entire interaction is digital.

For people who dislike crowds or have mobility issues, this setup is ideal.

But if you enjoy seasonal displays, checking fruit for ripeness, or chatting with a friendly cashier, the absence of a physical store might feel sterile.

There’s no spontaneity. No finding a surprise deal on your favorite chips or seeing flowers that brighten your day.

What you order is what you get, and nothing more.

Publix Has the Best Prepared Foods Section

If you want to grab dinner while shopping, Publix makes it easy. Their hot food section, subs, chicken tender meals, sushi, and bakery treats are favorites for a reason.

Many customers plan their trip around picking up lunch or dinner for later.

And no one’s rushing you out. You can stand at the sub counter, choose every detail, and know you’re getting something fresh.

Walmart Offers Value Meals, Not a Dining Experience

Walmart has grab-and-go items, but they’re mostly about price and volume.

The hot food isn’t a signature feature. You might find a pizza, a bucket of wings, or a deli sandwich, but the variety and quality don’t match Publix.

Walmart’s food court is less about comfort and more about convenience. It’s quick, cheap, and functional.

If you’re just grabbing something to fill the gap, it works. But if you’re looking for a comfort meal or made-to-order sub, Publix has the edge.

Kroger Delivers Meals, but It’s Not the Same

Kroger offers meal kits and pre-cooked options through delivery, but it lacks the charm of choosing something hot and fresh in person like at Publix and Walmart.

There’s no sub counter. Nor are there warm cookies staring at you from behind the glass.

You can still order prepared foods, but it feels like ordering from a catalog.

There’s no smell, no taste test, no visual temptation. The meals are often high-quality, but the magic of choosing in the moment is non-existent.

Walmart and Kroger Win on Price

When it comes to stretching your grocery dollars, Walmart and Kroger win almost every time over Publix.

Their store brands are cheaper, and their weekly deals are built to compete. Kroger’s delivery prices are close to in-store levels and often undercut Publix.

Publix has sales too, especially with BOGOs, but the base prices are typically higher. You’re paying more for ambiance, service, and store cleanliness.