Publix

[Challenger]

Have shopped at Publix since moving to TV more than 5 yrs ago. Prior to that I had never even been in their stores.

Today, as has always been our experience, We were completely satisfied by our trip to Publix to spend a few hundred dollars. Needed to talk with someone for info on over the counter medication. Pharmacist came from behind the counter and spent a good bit of time educating us on the issues that we were concerned about. Cashier called our attention to a 2for1 offer that we had not seen when buying fruit. She also made several other helpful suggestions related to sales that we took advantage of.

Employees are neat, personable, polite and helpful. Store is clean and well organized. Prices are fair and reasonable.

Have never had a bad experience in Publix and believe it to be the best that we have patronized in the past 50yrs.

Hope they don't become complacent and lose their edge.
Management is obviously keeping their eye on the ball
(Brownwood Store today)

[Greg Nelson]

Nice stores..much better than Winn Dixie

[Chatbrat]

The stores are employee owned , they CARE

[joldnol]

The Publix at Colony is the exception......

[Buffalo Jim]

Scored as one of the best 100 companies to work for in a recent issue of Forbes or Fortune Magazine . I can`t remember where they finished but it was quite high .

[Polar Bear]

The Publix at Colony is the exception......
Just as good as the rest imho.

[graciegirl]

The Publix at Colony is the exception......

For a long time, I heard that Colony was the highest grossing store in the chain. When we lived in Hadley, I shopped there all of the time and liked it very much and no complaints. What and who is at fault? If I had to face some of the folks that are so unkind here, I would last maybe five minutes. I try to give them honest praise every time I can.

[Mleeja]

Here is my Public story.... The other day I went to Publix to get snacks for a gathering. I purchased some A & H deluxe mixed nuts. The shelf tag showed the price as $11.99. When the cashier scanned the nuts the price was $15.99. I asked her to check and she verified the price was correct as scanned. To convince myself I had not miss read the price I went back to the shelf and sure enough the shelf tag said $11.99.

I took a picture of the shelf tag and took it up to the service desk. I showed my reciept and the picture of the shelf tag. The manager told the associate to credit me the cost of the nuts. They put $15.99 back on my debit card. I told the clerk I still wanted the nuts. He told me if Publix charges the wrong price, the item is free! How many retail stores would do this? I was impressed.

[dbussone]

Nice stores..much better than Winn Dixie



There's an exception to every rule.

[CFrance]

Here is my Public story.... The other day I went to Publix to get snacks for a gathering. I purchased some A & H deluxe mixed nuts. The shelf tag showed the price as $11.99. When the cashier scanned the nuts the price was $15.99. I asked her to check and she verified the price was correct as scanned. To convince myself I had not miss read the price I went back to the shelf and sure enough the shelf tag said $11.99.

I took a picture of the shelf tag and took it up to the service desk. I showed my reciept and the picture of the shelf tag. The manager told the associate to credit me the cost of the nuts. They put $15.99 back on my debit card. I told the clerk I still wanted the nuts. He told me if Publix charges the wrong price, the item is free! How many retail stores would do this? I was impressed.
In Michigan, that is a little-known law. Wonder if it is in Florida.

[NYGUY]

Scored as one of the best 100 companies to work for in a recent issue of Forbes or Fortune Magazine . I can`t remember where they finished but it was quite high .

Publix scored #67....Wegmans scored #3 (number 1 as best grocery store)....I am surprised a Western NY guy didn't know this.

[Barefoot]

Employees are neat, personable, polite and helpful. Store is clean and well organized. Prices are fair and reasonable.
Have never had a bad experience in Publix and believe it to be the best that we have patronized in the past 50yrs.

:agree:I like the Publix policy of asking whether a customer needs help carrying out groceries.
Usually unnecessary, but what a nice touch.
It can be very helpful, especially for someone who has had recent surgery. :thumbup:

[CFrance]

:agree:I like the Publix policy of asking whether a customer needs help carrying out groceries.
Usually unnecessary, but what a nice touch.
It can be very helpful, especially for someone who has had recent surgery. :thumbup:
I aways say no, thank you, because I can never remember where I parked the car.:ohdear:

[Challenger]

The Publix at Colony is the exception......

not in my experience.

[Villager Joyce]

Just curious: OP why after five years did you decide to promote Publix?

[jblum315]

In Michigan, that is a little-known law. Wonder if it is in Florida.

I think it's a policy, not a law

[Chatbrat]

The only supermarket we go to is Publix, never have a problem getting all the items on my wife's shopping list and their $10.00/ discount on a $50.00 gas card is a nice perk.

There is a great story called "bagboy found a home in Publix" years ago a 17year old boy who was basically homeless started working @ a Publix, the employees took him under their wings, he just retired as one of the company's top VP's @ age 65, he was responsible for designing all the new Public stores.

The story was in the St. Pete Times.

[Taltarzac725]

In Michigan, that is a little-known law. Wonder if it is in Florida.

U.S. Retail Pricing Laws and Regulations by State (http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/laws/retail-pricing.cfm)

Here's a table of information.

It does look a law in some states and a policy at some stores in others. Not in Florida though as far as I could tell as far as a law is concerned. I hope people will keep digging though.

[CFrance]

U.S. Retail Pricing Laws and Regulations by State (http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/laws/retail-pricing.cfm)

Here's a table of information.

It does look a law in some states and a policy at some stores in others. Not in Florida though as far as I could tell as far as a law is concerned. I hope people will keep digging though.
Thanks, Tal.

[Ecuadog]

I like the Publix policy of asking whether a customer needs help carrying out groceries.
...

I aways say no, thank you, because I can never remember where I parked the car.

Now, that's funny.

[Boomer]

I like to shop at Publix, even though I have to run past the bakery section, with my eyes closed.

I like to shop at Publix because the stores are clean and bright and the employees are helpful.

But there is more to it than that -- for me -- I like to shop at Publix because I really like their business plan. The quote below is from an article in Forbes, May 28, 2015. The title of the article is "Publix, Florida's Supermarket King, Mints Another Billionaire."

The quote follows:

The multi-generational Jenkins family owns about 20% of Publix, but employees are the controlling shareholders, with an 80% stake. All staffers who have put in 1,000 work hours and a year of employment receive an additional 8.5% of their total pay in the form of Publix stock.

- - -

I am from Cincinnati, home of Procter and Gamble. Company stock (profit-sharing) has been a big part of P&G's legacy. Employees were given the opportunity to accumulate shares of stock -- a stock that has paid dividends since the company began and has increased that dividend for the past 59 consecutive years, making it near the top of the list sometimes known as the Dividend Aristocrats.

I am not here to debate P&G's stock value. I did not work for P&G. (Probably coulda, shoulda.) But growing up and spending most of my life in Cincinnati, I have seen what that profit-sharing plan could do to help P&G employees to raise families, buy houses, educate kids, and to eventually be able to retire with a rather tidy portfolio, still paying dividends.

Anyway, I don't know if P&G is now what it once was in inspiring employee loyalty. All I know is I think profit-sharing is an excellent way to run a business. Of course, the Jenkins family are billionaires. That's fine. But that company stock they share with the employees has to be a big part of making that happen.

Publix stock is different from P&G in that Publix is not publicly traded. But it looks like a business goal is there in much the same way. The Publix plan sounds like a good one, too, employees owning the business with the billionaires.

Just imagine a country where Walmart had made company stock a benefit of employment. Not only would many more people start to understand how investing works, but think of the pride in "ownership" and the loyal commitment to the employer that can only make a business better. ROI comes in many forms......

And did you see that part in the above quote from Forbes that says Publix employees can get stock after only 1000 hours and one year. --You know.......Walmart coulda, shoulda. (sigh)

If you see a woman at Publix, running past the bakery section with her eyes closed or wandering through the parking lot looking for her white car with the Florida plates, that could be me because I am going to keep on shopping at Publix. Besides, I like their green shirts.

Boomer

[Bonnevie]

My son worked at Publix while he was in high school. They stress customer service to the max. If you get good service from an employee...let them know...there's a contact us section on their web page...or write a letter to the store. My son had people write about his great service and they let the employee know and commend them. Plus, it will be a benefit when they are up for performance review.

[village dreamer]

and than theres always...............Walmart.........

[2BNTV]

:agree:I like the Publix policy of asking whether a customer needs help carrying out groceries.
Usually unnecessary, but what a nice touch.
It can be very helpful, especially for someone who has had recent surgery. :thumbup:

:agree: And I am always thankful, I don't need assistance. :smiley:

[2BNTV]

I aways say no, thank you, because I can never remember where I parked the car.:ohdear:

That's why I always try to park in the same area. Less area to find the car. :D

[2BNTV]

I wanted to buy tea and I bought a package at a certain price. When it was rung up at a higher price, I mention the sticker said it was a lower price.

The cashier sent another employee to price check the item He came back and said I was right. He rang up the first package at the right price and gave me another package free.

I was impressed.

I had the occasion to back to CT and stopped at a Stop and Shop store. The lighting was dim and felt like I was almost shopping in the dark. I like that Publix is very well lit, clean and orderly. Probably, the best supermarket, I ever had the occasion to shop at. IMHO

[Pointer]

:agree::a040::a040::a040:

[logdog]

This year, Publix was rated the second best grocery chain nationwide. Wegmans beat Publix by 1% and Trader Joe's was 5 points behind. I've never been to a Wegmans but I sure like Publix. See: New Market Force Information Study Finds Wegmans and Publix are America’s Favorite Grocery Retailers | Market Force Information, Inc. (http://www.marketforce.com/wegmans-and-publix-are-america%E2%80%99s-favorite-grocery-retailers-market-force-panel-research)

[deano_hoosier]

I was in our local Walmart this morning after a lot of rain. The shopping carts inside were all soaking wet. The "greeter" said "sorry, I don't have any paper towels. You'll just have to shop wet."

At Publix last month there was a shower. I saw one of the bag guys wiping down all the carts in the staging area.

What a difference.

[aninjamom]

I have lived in FL since 1970, and shopped at Publix for almost 30 years. It's always been my favorite grocery store, and still is!

[bandsdavis]

I like to shop at Publix, even though I have to run past the bakery section, with my eyes closed.

I like to shop at Publix because the stores are clean and bright and the employees are helpful.

But there is more to it than that -- for me -- I like to shop at Publix because I really like their business plan. The quote below is from an article in Forbes, May 28, 2015. The title of the article is "Publix, Florida's Supermarket King, Mints Another Billionaire."

The quote follows:

The multi-generational Jenkins family owns about 20% of Publix, but employees are the controlling shareholders, with an 80% stake. All staffers who have put in 1,000 work hours and a year of employment receive an additional 8.5% of their total pay in the form of Publix stock.

- - -

I am from Cincinnati, home of Procter and Gamble. Company stock (profit-sharing) has been a big part of P&G's legacy. Employees were given the opportunity to accumulate shares of stock -- a stock that has paid dividends since the company began and has increased that dividend for the past 59 consecutive years, making it near the top of the list sometimes known as the Dividend Aristocrats.

I am not here to debate P&G's stock value. I did not work for P&G. (Probably coulda, shoulda.) But growing up and spending most of my life in Cincinnati, I have seen what that profit-sharing plan could do to help P&G employees to raise families, buy houses, educate kids, and to eventually be able to retire with a rather tidy portfolio, still paying dividends.

Anyway, I don't know if P&G is now what it once was in inspiring employee loyalty. All I know is I think profit-sharing is an excellent way to run a business. Of course, the Jenkins family are billionaires. That's fine. But that company stock they share with the employees has to be a big part of making that happen.

Publix stock is different from P&G in that Publix is not publicly traded. But it looks like a business goal is there in much the same way. The Publix plan sounds like a good one, too, employees owning the business with the billionaires.

Just imagine a country where Walmart had made company stock a benefit of employment. Not only would many more people start to understand how investing works, but think of the pride in "ownership" and the loyal commitment to the employer that can only make a business better. ROI comes in many forms......

And did you see that part in the above quote from Forbes that says Publix employees can get stock after only 1000 hours and one year. --You know.......Walmart coulda, shoulda. (sigh)

If you see a woman at Publix, running past the bakery section with her eyes closed or wandering through the parking lot looking for her white car with the Florida plates, that could be me because I am going to keep on shopping at Publix. Besides, I like their green shirts.

Boomer

Boomer, you should try their Whole Wheat Mountain Bread. It's really great!

[Vladimir]

I guess I have a contrary view of Publix. They do not impress me and if Wegman or Shop Rite was here to give them some competition they would be in trouble. The bakery and produce section is limited and not that good. There is no prepared hot food section to speak of...think Italian hot foods, Chinese foods, various salad combinations, prepared sea foods, etc. The deli section is overpriced and irritatingly slow and lacks proper staffing. Their rows are narrow and the CPG selections also limited. Yes they try to be nice but I'm not paying for nice in lieu of quality and expansive food product. I love FL and TV but the supermarkets are disappointing.

[JoMar]

I guess I have a contrary view of Publix. They do not impress me and if Wegman or Shop Rite was here to give them some competition they would be in trouble. The bakery and produce section is limited and not that good. There is no prepared hot food section to speak of...think Italian hot foods, Chinese foods, various salad combinations, prepared sea foods, etc. The deli section is overpriced and irritatingly slow and lacks proper staffing. Their rows are narrow and the CPG selections also limited. Yes they try to be nice but I'm not paying for nice in lieu of quality and expansive food product. I love FL and TV but the supermarkets are disappointing.

Which is why there are choices. Wegmans is great but it's not here. Shop Rite was ok, to me, but nothing special. I understand the Publix stores in TV are smaller than stores outside TV and the larger stores offer more. But, we got what we got (Aldi's and Walmart included).

[Challenger]

Just curious: OP why after five years did you decide to promote Publix?

Was not attempting to "promote" but rather sharing my experiences and respect for the consistency of quality contacts that my wife and I have when shopping at Publix.

We own no stock, have no friends nor family working for them, get no special treatment.

We do find that no matter which Publix we patronize, our quality experiences are the same.

The only complaint that I hear is that their stores(especially Colony) are crowded. We find that to be true at certain times and especially during "the season". Our time since retiring is quite flexible so we shop at slower times.

I was not attempting to "Promote" Publix, but rather provide useful info about a quality business- we see so many negative experiences on these threads.

I am curious why you asked the question the way you did.

P.S. I do belong to a Villages Rotary Club which has received a significant amount of financial support from Publix for our local and international philanthropic efforts. This kind of commitment from Publix has been experienced by many organizations throughout their market area. When writing first post, their community support was not on my mind or I would have included it there.

[Mleeja]

Was not attempting to "promote" but rather sharing my experiences and respect for the consistency of quality contacts that my wife and I have when shopping at Publix.

We own no stock, have no friends nor family working for them, get no special treatment.

We do find that no matter which Publix we patronize, our quality experiences are the same.

The only complaint that I hear is that their stores(especially Colony) are crowded. We find that to be true at certain times and especially during "the season". Our time since retiring is quite flexible so we shop at slower times.

I was not attempting to "Promote" Publix, but rather provide useful info about a quality business- we see so many negative experiences on these threads.

I am curious why you asked the question the way you did.

P.S. I do belong to a Villages Rotary Club which has received a significant amount of financial support from Publix for our local and international philanthropic efforts. This kind of commitment from Publix has been experienced by many organizations throughout their market area. When writing first post, their community support was not on my mind or I would have included it there.

Nice reply. :BigApplause:

[Ecuadog]

...

I was not attempting to "Promote" Publix, but rather provide useful info about a quality business- we see so many negative experiences on these threads.

...

I thank you.

[Bogie Shooter]

I guess I have a contrary view of Publix. They do not impress me and if Wegman or Shop Rite was here to give them some competition they would be in trouble. The bakery and produce section is limited and not that good. There is no prepared hot food section to speak of...think Italian hot foods, Chinese foods, various salad combinations, prepared sea foods, etc. The deli section is overpriced and irritatingly slow and lacks proper staffing. Their rows are narrow and the CPG selections also limited. Yes they try to be nice but I'm not paying for nice in lieu of quality and expansive food product. I love FL and TV but the supermarkets are disappointing.
If Publix is so bad..............where do you buy your groceries??

[Jima64]

If Publix is so bad..............where do you buy your groceries??

As much as I like Publix I have to shop where the prices are overall lower on a weekly basis. Wish I could shop there full time but the wallet says no.

[rubicon]

Publix scored #67....Wegmans scored #3 (number 1 as best grocery store)....I am surprised a Western NY guy didn't know this.

a number of my family have worked for Wegmans over the years. they pay well and their benefits are quality.

Tops not so tops

[rubicon]

We are equal opportunity grocery shoppers

When we lived in Iowa they had two employee owned grocery chains that did well Dahl's and Hy Vee

[Challenger]

As much as I like Publix I have to shop where the prices are overall lower on a weekly basis. Wish I could shop there full time but the wallet says no.

give us a hint

[Barefoot]

Was not attempting to "promote" but rather sharing my experiences and respect for the consistency of quality contacts that my wife and I have when shopping at Publix.
It's good to to see a positive thread. Well done. :thumbup:

[Schaumburger]

We are equal opportunity grocery shoppers

When we lived in Iowa they had two employee owned grocery chains that did well Dahl's and Hy Vee

I spent the first 18 years of my life in eastern Iowa, and I have shopped at HyVee many times as my dad still lives 1 mile from one of the HyVee stores in Dubuque, IA. HyVee is an excellent chain (their motto is "Where there's a helpful smile in every aisle." I have also shopped at several Publix stores while visiting The Villages and have always had a good experience.

About 20 years ago I worked with a chemist who immigrated to the U.S. from the former Soviet Union. I asked her what she most liked about living in the United States. Her answer surprised me. She told me that one of her favorite things about living in the U.S. was being able to go into an American supermarket and seeing rows and rows of stocked shelves and being able to buy as many groceries as one wanted as long as you had the money to pay for them. She said that such was not the case in the Soviet Union in the early 1990's when there were food shortages and rationing.

[Fraugoofy]

I spent the first 18 years of my life in eastern Iowa, and I have shopped at HyVee many times as my dad still lives 1 mile from one of the HyVee stores in Dubuque, IA. HyVee is an excellent chain (their motto is "Where there's a helpful smile in every aisle." I have also shopped at several Publix stores while visiting The Villages and have always had a good experience.

About 20 years ago I worked with a chemist who immigrated to the U.S. from the former Soviet Union. I asked her what she most liked about living in the United States. Her answer surprised me. She told me that one of her favorite things about living in the U.S. was being able to go into an American supermarket and seeing rows and rows of stocked shelves and being able to buy as many groceries as one wanted as long as you had the money to pay for them. She said that such was not the case in the Soviet Union in the early 1990's when there were food shortages and rationing.
I think sometimes we all forget just how fortunate most of us are!

Sent from my SM-N910R4 using Tapatalk

[Schaumburger]

I think sometimes we all forget just how fortunate most of us are!

Sent from my SM-N910R4 using Tapatalk

Agree with you that most Americans don't know how good we have it compared what people experience so many other countries. I wish my mom was still alive to talk about the food rationing she experienced as a middle school/high school student during WWII. Can you imagine Americans having to go through food rationing in 2016...now that would be interesting, and I don't think in a good way.

[looneycat]

Publix scored #67....Wegmans scored #3 (number 1 as best grocery store)....I am surprised a Western NY guy didn't know this.

i believe you misunderstood....publix ranks 67th in the 100 best companies to work for, not limited to groceries, wegman's didn't make the list at all.

[NYGUY]

i believe you misunderstood....publix ranks 67th in the 100 best companies to work for, not limited to groceries, wegman's didn't make the list at all.

Sorry, I looked again and find that I did make a mistake. Wegmans ranked number 4 in Fortune's "Best Companies to Work For".

Here is the link: 100 Best Companies to Work For - Fortune (http://fortune.com/best-companies/)

[Mleeja]

give us a hint

As much as I like Publix I have to shop where the prices are overall lower on a weekly basis. Wish I could shop there full time but the wallet says no.

If one checks the weekly adds a shopper can save a few bucks here and there. We will go to CVS, Walgreens, on Winn-Dixie to get soft drinks or other special buys. But the "main" shopping is usually Pubix.

I think the gist of this thread is the good overall service provided by Publix.