[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

Remind yourself that most Publix employees begin with the company as relatively unskilled and low paid workers. The employee benefit of company stock participation introduces them to the concept of stock ownership.

Owning stock in Publix is an income enhancer since Publix pays a dividend on their stock every year. Like other stock offerings, there is occasionally a stock split. In 1992 it split 5 for 1, and again in 2006. The current value of Publix stock is around $39.15 per share.

Publix employees who want to sell their stock may go on line to the Publix site and fill out paperwork to sell their stock back to the company.

But not everyone wants to sell their stock, and they are not required to do so if they leave the company. I found the following post on a web site. It was posted five months ago, before a slight reduction in the value per share of the stock.

"I started working for Publix in 1972 (or was it 73, long time ago). When I reached age 18 I purchased 10 shares of stock for $28 per share, total investment $280.

There was no 401k like Publix now has and the ESOP (now called the Profit plan) had only recently started and had a five year vesting requirement. I left Publix before I had five years so I lost my Profit shares, but I kept my 10 shares I purchased outright.

So, in-
02/25/1984 the stock split 10 for 1; I now had 100 shares
07/01/1992 the stock split 5 for 1; I now had 500 shares
07/01/2006 the stock split 5 for 1; I now had 2500 shares
My original $280 investment is now worth $100,375.00. Every quarter Publix sends me a check for a little over $500 as a dividend."

Further, "Many (most??) Publix managers retire with a minimum of a million dollars in savings for retirement. How do they do it? Publix stock. They join the 401k and invest the full 10% in Publix stock. When they have extra money they buy Publix stock during the open periods. Then they just watch the Profit shares accumulate."

Note that store managers come up through the ranks.

This gives an indication of why Publix is considered such an "employee friendly" store.

Too bad there wasn't publix around me when I worked in grocery store starting at 13 stocking selves and packing grocery to cars. Got 60 cents hour and was glad to get it.