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Want A Sub? Publix Lets You Grab Your Mouse

LAKELAND (CBSMIami) - Want a sub from Publix, but hate wasting your lunch hour in deli-department lines to pick it up? The grocery giant is testing a possible answer: online orders.

That's not new; pizza places have allowed you to order online for pickup or delivery for years. What is unusual is a supermarket taking the leap.

Or, in Publix's case, a tiny dip of the toe.

The chain said it will start the service at a Lakeland area store August 3rd, and assuming it works as expected, expand it to as many as 50 stores across its service area by the end of the year.

In addition to custom subs, the service will let customers order deli meats and cheeses as well as wraps, and the computer challenged will be able to order by phone.

After you make the order, you'll be given a pickup time.

But what about other items in the grocery cart? Is ordering cookies or frozen peas on the horizon, maybe with home delivery?

Publix tried that service and shut it down, saying it cost too much and not enough people wanted to take part.

Publix could not say when the service would be available in South Florida.

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