Food costs

[Warren Kiefer]

If I am correct that Publix is an employee owned store, why is it the priciest grocery in the Villages ??

[graciegirl]

If I am correct that Publix is an employee owned store, why is it the priciest grocery in the Villages ??

Two answers. It isn't the priciest..Fresh Market is.

It may be employee owned but it is for profit.

They carefully monitor what they can charge and they charge it. They have excellent customer service and market that well. Their produce is presented clean and beautifully. They are pretty much in close range with Walmart on what I buy frequently and they are closer TO US than Walmart. I think our Winn-Dixie has the best baked sweets.

[village dreamer]

don't worry , Walmart food store will be here soon ???

[fred53]

Actually Whole Foods is more expensive. I find the quality of non-prepackaged goods higher than Walmart or Winn-Dixie. There are grocery choices for all budgets. Pick that one that suits your budget and go for it. Otherwise complaining online is a waste of time.

[CWGUY]

If I am correct that Publix is an employee owned store, why is it the priciest grocery in the Villages ??

:undecided: You are correct (even a blind raccoon bumps into a dumpster once in awhile) it is employee owned. Contact with questions at this link. http://www.publix.com/faq Let us know what they say. Thanks.

[jblum315]

IF we had a Trader Joe's you could buy food cheaper and better than Publix. It's worth a trip to Gainesville to see for yourself.

[klough53]

Good food/ service is not cheap. Cheap food/ service is not good!

Why would you expect an employee owned company to charge less anyway.

[patfla06]

I love Publix.

Has anyone else noticed that food keeps shrinking?
If not the actual box but also the actual product inside.

Do they think we don't notice? 😊

[JoMar]

IF we had a Trader Joe's you could buy food cheaper and better than Publix. It's worth a trip to Gainesville to see for yourself. There seem to be a lot of people that love Trader Joe's and will make the ride. I'm surprised someone hasn't started a caravan club to go or rent a bus and make it an adventure. Since time no longer has a cost when you are retired it seems like you could make it more than just a shopping trip.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Check out Aldi's in SS or Leesburg. One is coming to 466A.

Great food, lots of organics (our preference) and good selection on everyday food items.

Bring $.25 for cart - refunded when you return. Bring your own shopping bags.

[justjim]

'We make service our number one, then quality and then price." Todd jones, president Publix. Some people want something more than price and Publix is good at service and quality. It seems to be working.

[NYGUY]

If I am correct that Publix is an employee owned store, why is it the priciest grocery in the Villages ??

Maybe the employees want to make more money.

[Nucky]

We mix it up on the food shopping between Sam's, A little bit of Walmart, to much at Fresh Market because my wife like the nice music they play whilst they are picking your pocket....just joking...but mostly at Publix because if you shop smartly WE find that you can do pretty well there money wise. Publix is so clean and the people are so helpful and the service at the pharmacy is wonderful compared to the competition. I have no problem paying more if the employees are treated well. Aldi's is next on the list to try. We have never waited for more than one minute in any line at any grocery store. Not once.

[perrjojo]

Good food/ service is not cheap. Cheap food/ service is not good!

Why would you expect an employee owned company to charge less anyway.

We think alike.

[phairmason]

For mid-tier grocery stores, I've found that it depends on what you buy. When I was in my 20s, a friend and I shopped at different grocery stores. She asked me why I shopped at the more expensive store. It turns out that she and I didn't buy the same stuff beyond the staples. So we went with our lists and a calculator to both stores and added up each store's prices for for our typically purchased items. She spent less at her preferred store and I spent less at mine--for what we each chose to buy.

[Fredster]

'We make service our number one, then quality and then price." Todd jones, president Publix. Some people want something more than price and Publix is good at service and quality. It seems to be working.

Publix quality is no better on brand name packaged items than any other store.
Yet prices on these items are generally substantially higher.
And after my last visit I found out, their produce dept. needs better quality control.
Overall, just an average supermarket!

[graciegirl]

Publix quality is no better on brand name packaged items than any other store.
Yet prices on these items are generally substantially higher.
And after my last visit I found out, their produce dept. needs better quality control.
Overall, just an average supermarket!

No.

[graciegirl]

I like Publix for a lot of reasons. (Disclaimer..I enjoy grocery shopping)

One of the reasons they have suckered me in is their commercials; I send this one to our granddaughter online on her birthday.


you tube Publix Commercials. - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+tube+Publix+Commercials.&view=detail&mid=1B71DA575325A0E022541B71DA575325A0E02254&FORM=VIRE)

[karostay]

I find it we'll worth the cost to go to BJ'S once a month
Stores hare have ripoff specials buy one get get one free..almost Double the cost for one
and smaller size packaging

[joldnol]

I find it we'll worth the cost to go to BJ'S once a month
Stores hare have ripoff specials buy one get get one free..almost Double the cost for one
and smaller size packaging

Wow are you mistaken. You don't shop publix much it seems

[VillagerNut]

Back in 2005 when the gas prices were rapidly rising, Publix prices for rising rapidly also. I stopped the store manager and ask why their prices were so quickly rising? His response was the cost of transportation was going up so quickly! A few years later when the gas prices tumbled quickly I stopped and ask a different store manager since I did not live in the same town why the prices were not falling since the transportation cost should be falling. He really didn't have a answer for me that time! I for one shop strictly on the product I want and the price. I can go into any store and buy just what I think is a good price or the unique product I want. I will not buy additional products if they're overpriced. So right now Publix only has about three items that I cannot get somewhere else so they get my business on those items. Otherwise they are very overpriced compared to several other stores! If you like organic type products go to Gainesville to Luckys market. It's real close to the Trader Joe's store also!

[karostay]

Wow are you mistaken. You don't shop publix much it seems
I shopped there just long enough to realize they are ripping off the consumer with their phony sales marketing

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I want my Piggly Wiggly back.


http://www.frankspigglywiggly.com/images/shopsave_piglogo.jpg

[Mleeja]

There seem to be a lot of people that love Trader Joe's and will make the ride. I'm surprised someone hasn't started a caravan club to go or rent a bus and make it an adventure. Since time no longer has a cost when you are retired it seems like you could make it more than just a shopping trip.

Maybe there could be a Trader Joe's club. They could talk about their trips to Trader Joe's, two buck Chuck, and other fantastic things to be found at the store. They could plan their trips to Trader Joe's with a stop at Costco. :mmmm:

[Mleeja]

Let's do some math kiddo's! It is a story problem. None of that Common Core stuff. The nearest Trader Joe's is located in Gainesville. The store is located 75 miles from The Villages. The cost of gas is $2.25 per gallon. Even though most of us are retired, our time has a value, especially if you have a job selling real estate. Let's say for our example $10.00 per hour. For our example our car gets 25 mpg. Let's look at our cost.

Travel time 180 minutes, round trip = $30.00
Transportation cost, round trip. = $13.50
Total cost for trip = $43.50

If a can of green beans sell at Publix for $0.79 cents per can, and the same can of green beans sell at Trader Joe's sells for $0.74 cents per can, how many cans of green beans must you buy to make going to Trader Joe's profitable? Class? Anyone?

[CFrance]

///

[CFrance]

I like Publix for a lot of reasons. (Disclaimer..I enjoy grocery shopping)

One of the reasons they have suckered me in is their commercials; I send this one to our granddaughter online on her birthday.


you tube Publix Commercials. - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+tube+Publix+Commercials.&view=detail&mid=1B71DA575325A0E022541B71DA575325A0E02254&FORM=VIRE)
The DO have the best commercials. My favorite is a Valentine's Day one:
you tube Publix Valentine Commercials. - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+tube+Publix+Valentine+Commercials.&&view=detail&mid=0FBED11E58A6C339833E0FBED11E58A6C339833E&rvsmid=6D68FCAFE1582D36DBAC6D68FCAFE1582D36DBAC&fsscr=0&FORM=VDQVAP)

Oh, that's not it either. Never mind!

[CFrance]

Let's do some math kiddo's! It is a story problem. None of that Common Core stuff. The nearest Trader Joe's is located in Gainesville. The store is located 75 miles from The Villages. The cost of gas is $2.25 per gallon. Even though most of us are retired, our time has a value, especially if you have a job selling real estate. Let's say for our example $10.00 per hour. For our example our car gets 25 mpg. Let's look at our cost.

Travel time 180 minutes, round trip = $30.00
Transportation cost, round trip. = $13.50
Total cost for trip = $43.50

If a can of green beans sell at Publix for $0.79 cents per can, and the same can of green beans sell at Trader Joe's sells for $0.74 cents per can, how many cans of green beans must you buy to make going to Trader Joe's profitable? Class? Anyone?
True, but there are things there I can't get anywhere else. Still, I don't go very often. It's just takes up too much time.

[dbussone]

True, but there are things there I can't get anywhere else. Still, I don't go very often. It's just takes up too much time.



I shop at Winn Dixie twice a week, and prefer WD over Publix. There is always an exception to the rule though. The exception for Publix is their key lime pie.


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[retiredguy123]

I love Publix.

Has anyone else noticed that food keeps shrinking?
If not the actual box but also the actual product inside.

Do they think we don't notice? 😊
The food may be shrinking, but the people who eat it aren't.

[IndianaJones]

Maybe there could be a Trader Joe's club. They could talk about their trips to Trader Joe's, two buck Chuck, and other fantastic things to be found at the store. They could plan their trips to Trader Joe's with a stop at Costco. :mmmm:

<sigh> I work in Gainesville and drive back and forth every day - sorry to say, "Two Buck Chuck" has gone up to $3 - even the cheap stuff is rising in price. Must be the economy, as they say? Trader Joe's is good, but it's like anywhere else - you have to watch what - and when - you buy.

[ColdNoMore]

The food may be shrinking, but the people who eat it aren't.

:1rotfl:

[vinricci]

We had several Publix near our home in Melbourne, Florida. A Walmart neighborhood market opened near one of them and the prices at that Publix dropped substantially. But the others remained the same

[aninjamom]

I have shopped at Publix for about 30 years, I love it. Bright, clean store, and friendly employees. I have noticed that the cheaper deals at other stores are not what I buy, it's usually junk food. Publix accepts anybody coupons, and offers BOGOs on food I buy anyway, plus allows coupons on BOGOs. Look up the website: "I heart Publix". With a little strategic couponing, you can practically get your groceries for free, I know women who do!

[justjim]

The traffic will be "interesting" when they open the Neighborhood Walmart grocery. Just to look at the property I can't imagine enough parking spaces. Lately we have been shopping at the Lake Denton Publix. Not crowded and a beautiful store. If you shop the ads you can get reasonable prices at Publix and, again, show me a grocery with better service.

[lakeoscawana]

You are correct. I have worked in the Grocery industry for 25 years in Manhattan, which has the highest operating costs in the country. When I first bought in TV and saw the retails at Publix, I was shocked. I wrote to Publix and asked them why were chicken tenders $6.99 lb?? This is equivalent to Manhattan prices! They replied that many items are shipped from the Northeast so they need to add shipping costs. Why? There are no chickens in Florida? I also asked why the promotions are different in their stores in Georgia where they offer SENIOR DISCOUNTS and "penny items".
I will be happy when Walmart and Aldi build on 466A. Perhaps Publix will realize they are not the only grocery option in the area!

[OhioBuckeye]

Two answers. It isn't the priciest..Fresh Market is.

It may be employee owned but it is for profit.

They carefully monitor what they can charge and they charge it. They have excellent customer service and market that well. Their produce is presented clean and beautifully. They are pretty much in close range with Walmart on what I buy frequently and they are closer TO US than Walmart. I think our Winn-Dixie has the best baked sweets.

They are the priciest chain store. Fresh Market isn't a chain store. No, Walmart isn't more expensive, then again it really depends on who's responding to this article. I only by cereal at Walmart because I eat a lot of LIFE cereal & at Publix it's $4.79 a box & at Walmart for a bigger box (family size) it's $3. a box so 2 boxes at Walmart is only $1. Personlly I think a lot of the opinions are are from people that lived in a higher more expensive part of the country. We spent 3 weeks in Argyle TX. on Mar. 19th that's around Dallas/Ft. Worth & I bought a gal. milk 2 different times & I only paid $1.28. Gas there was $1.89 here when we left TV it was $2.23, bread there was $1.08. TV isn't the cheapest place to live like they advertise. We travel to Ohio & Texas 3 or 4 times a yr. & this area is more expensive than going to Ohio or Texas. Yea, I know a lot of people lived in between both places I mentioned & we could argue every day about this, but I get a lot of comments from a lot of people that live on the old side for 20+ yrs. & those people tell me the same thing, "When I moved here 20 yrs. ago you could live like a millionaire, now you've got to be a millionaire to live here". Seriously have a lot of the people here ever eaten at one of the country clubs? I know this is just my opinion but it's not the cheapest place to live in, TV could do better by the residents!

[OhioBuckeye]

If I am correct that Publix is an employee owned store, why is it the priciest grocery in the Villages ??

Personally I think all the stores in TV take advantage of the residents here. You don't see people from Wildwood, Leesburg, Fruitland Park, ect. ect. in the stores. Most of us can tell who lives here & who doesn't. Now watch, someone will say, "How can you tell who live here & who doesn't". You can pick most of them out. GOOD COMMENT WARREN KIEFER!

[toeser]

Nearly everything is cheaper here than around our northern summer home, but gas and groceries. We find groceries here to be very uncompetitive, and we feel Publix is one of the highest priced stores. Although they have beautiful stores, we hardly ever shop there because of the high prices.

[JoMar]

Nearly everything is cheaper here than around our northern summer home, but gas and groceries. We find groceries here to be very uncompetitive, and we feel Publix is one of the highest priced stores. Although they have beautiful stores, we hardly ever shop there because of the high prices.

I suspect you are in the minority....their stores are always full. You are doing the right thing for you, get out of the bubble and find a store that works for you.

[Bonny]

They are the priciest chain store. Fresh Market isn't a chain store. No, Walmart isn't more expensive, then again it really depends on who's responding to this article. I only by cereal at Walmart because I eat a lot of LIFE cereal & at Publix it's $4.79 a box & at Walmart for a bigger box (family size) it's $3. a box so 2 boxes at Walmart is only $1. Personlly I think a lot of the opinions are are from people that lived in a higher more expensive part of the country. We spent 3 weeks in Argyle TX. on Mar. 19th that's around Dallas/Ft. Worth & I bought a gal. milk 2 different times & I only paid $1.28. Gas there was $1.89 here when we left TV it was $2.23, bread there was $1.08. TV isn't the cheapest place to live like they advertise. We travel to Ohio & Texas 3 or 4 times a yr. & this area is more expensive than going to Ohio or Texas. Yea, I know a lot of people lived in between both places I mentioned & we could argue every day about this, but I get a lot of comments from a lot of people that live on the old side for 20+ yrs. & those people tell me the same thing, "When I moved here 20 yrs. ago you could live like a millionaire, now you've got to be a millionaire to live here". Seriously have a lot of the people here ever eaten at one of the country clubs? I know this is just my opinion but it's not the cheapest place to live in, TV could do better by the residents!
Really ?? Now the cost of food is also the Villages fault ?? :ohdear:

[joldnol]

They are the priciest chain store. Fresh Market isn't a chain store.

On what planet? I suppose Whole Foods and Trader Joes aren't chains either.

[dbussone]

They are the priciest chain store. Fresh Market isn't a chain store. No, Walmart isn't more expensive, then again it really depends on who's responding to this article. I only by cereal at Walmart because I eat a lot of LIFE cereal & at Publix it's $4.79 a box & at Walmart for a bigger box (family size) it's $3. a box so 2 boxes at Walmart is only $1. Personlly I think a lot of the opinions are are from people that lived in a higher more expensive part of the country. We spent 3 weeks in Argyle TX. on Mar. 19th that's around Dallas/Ft. Worth & I bought a gal. milk 2 different times & I only paid $1.28. Gas there was $1.89 here when we left TV it was $2.23, bread there was $1.08. TV isn't the cheapest place to live like they advertise. We travel to Ohio & Texas 3 or 4 times a yr. & this area is more expensive than going to Ohio or Texas. Yea, I know a lot of people lived in between both places I mentioned & we could argue every day about this, but I get a lot of comments from a lot of people that live on the old side for 20+ yrs. & those people tell me the same thing, "When I moved here 20 yrs. ago you could live like a millionaire, now you've got to be a millionaire to live here". Seriously have a lot of the people here ever eaten at one of the country clubs? I know this is just my opinion but it's not the cheapest place to live in, TV could do better by the residents!



Fresh Market IS a chain store. There just as many of them as Publix or Winn Dixie.


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[Jdyer2000]

For sure! I can't wait for more competition to drive prices down!!

[ColdNoMore]

I'm a bit surprised that so many people seem to really care if groceries cost a few dollars a week more at one place...over another.

I thought most people here were pretty comfortable financially and wouldn't be so obsessed...with a few cents difference between stores.

Personally, I'm more concerned about being able to have a good selection of purchasing what I want...in one store, in one trip.

Besides, it's not like we can take the money with us...when we go through that final checkout line. :shrug:



Flame suit on. :D

[joldnol]

Let me see, paying a state income tax and much higher property taxes is better than paying a few pennies more for food
...if you don't like it don't let the door hit you on your way out of the state, we Floridians love Publix.

[graciegirl]

Personally I think all the stores in TV take advantage of the residents here. You don't see people from Wildwood, Leesburg, Fruitland Park, ect. ect. in the stores. Most of us can tell who lives here & who doesn't. Now watch, someone will say, "How can you tell who live here & who doesn't". You can pick most of them out. GOOD COMMENT WARREN KIEFER!

I knew when our kids were three-four years old and we came to Florida on vacation that food was pricier here and I learned to go away from the beach if I wanted to buy groceries. The whole State of Florida is a tourist destination and the businesses who sell anything will charge what they can get away with.

The Villages Inc. (The Morse Family) build to suit for businesses who are willing to come here and want to open here. These businesses are usually happy to be here as they are guaranteed a large number of people with the best credit ratings in the entire country. (that is documented) The businesses also must deal with savvy shoppers who are willing to coupon and use bogo's, who are thrifty, and have always been careful with their money.

Some may drive an expensive car but they still beef about the price of liquor. I read them all of the time. I am one of those people who is pretty careful with money, but living here is a trade off. I could buy my chicken tenders cheaper back in Cincinnati, but it snows in Cincinnati, so I am willing to pay a little more for them here.

If people were really unhappy here and needed to cut back on expenses, they easily could sell their home for a lot more than they paid for it 20 years ago, hire a much cheaper moving service than in the North and move to an area that doesn't have an amenity fee. Right away, they would have about $140 more a month in their wallet.

Just sayin'.

[SALYBOW]

There seem to be a lot of people that love Trader Joe's and will make the ride. I'm surprised someone hasn't started a caravan club to go or rent a bus and make it an adventure. Since time no longer has a cost when you are retired it seems like you could make it more than just a shopping trip.

If you start a caravan club, count me in
:a040:

[graciegirl]

I'm a bit surprised that so many people seem to really care if groceries cost a few dollars a week more at one place...over another.

I thought most people here were pretty comfortable financially and wouldn't be so obsessed...with a few cents difference between stores.

Personally, I'm more concerned about being able to have a good selection of purchasing what I want...in one store, in one trip.

Besides, it's not like we can take the money with us...when we go through that final checkout line. :shrug:



Flame suit on. :D

Poor people buy like they're rich.
Rich people buy like they're poor.

[cquick]

if we had a trader joe's you could buy food cheaper and better than publix. It's worth a trip to gainesville to see for yourself.

or to dr. Phillips near orlando

[renpan]

We love Aldie's . Prices are good . smaller than the one @ home though

[Barbscats]

Trader Joes in Orlando is probably closer...W.Sandlake Rd. TJ should open in The Villages and if you want one, just email them and let them know.

[lakeoscawana]

I'd like to respond to the writer who thinks "Publix has excellent service". Some Publix may have excellent service; BUT the Colony store does not.
Let's be clear. Publix has high retails outside of it's sales program and they say it is because they give great service. So let's see..........
First you fight for a parking space, since the employees park in the same lot as customers and the store is doing so much more than projected.
Then you enter and have to use either a hand cart or an EXTRA LARGE shopping cart enough to fill $200 of groceries and which takes up so much space, it's hard to maneuver through the aisles. Why can't they get smaller carts like Winn Dixie??
Then the Fun really starts as you head to the Deli counter. Last week I got my deli number....#46. The counter was on #25. At an average of 5 minutes per customer, I soon realized I would be waiting an Hour and 45 minutes!!!!! Do you honestly think that is "Excellent customer service? I went to Winn Dixie, got my cold cuts and was in and out in 10 minutes. I don't need to pay extra for poor customer service.

[Carla B]

Got to agree about the EXTRA LARGE carts. The small ones would be so much more efficient. Another thing, the crowded meat aisle, where they park displays in the middle at Colony Publix.

[pauld315]

They are the priciest chain store. Fresh Market isn't a chain store.

Fresh Market certainly is a chain store. Find FreshMarket Stores Near You - The Fresh Market (https://www.thefreshmarket.com/your-market/store-locator)

[JoMar]

Lake Deaton Publix is a much larger store, bright and built for a growing population. Also the the store at Tavares is less crowded, well, almost everyplace is less crowded than Colony. Not sure why people go there or express loyalty to a store that doesn't adjust to the customers needs. Will be interesting to see the impact of Walmart on Colony.

[joldnol]

I'd like to respond to the writer who thinks "Publix has excellent service". Some Publix may have excellent service; BUT the Colony store does not.
Let's be clear. Publix has high retails outside of it's sales program and they say it is because they give great service. So let's see..........
First you fight for a parking space, since the employees park in the same lot as customers and the store is doing so much more than projected.
Then you enter and have to use either a hand cart or an EXTRA LARGE shopping cart enough to fill $200 of groceries and which takes up so much space, it's hard to maneuver through the aisles. Why can't they get smaller carts like Winn Dixie??
Then the Fun really starts as you head to the Deli counter. Last week I got my deli number....#46. The counter was on #25. At an average of 5 minutes per customer, I soon realized I would be waiting an Hour and 45 minutes!!!!! Do you honestly think that is "Excellent customer service? I went to Winn Dixie, got my cold cuts and was in and out in 10 minutes. I don't need to pay extra for poor customer service.

Colony is the exception. Rude shoppers and rude employees

[Northwoods]

I like Publix because it is convenient and they have what I need. Almost every time I go to Winn-Dixie, they are either out of or don't carry something I'm looking for. Twice they were out of Pork Tenderloin. (Seriously... no pork tenderloin). So... I end up at Publix. Winn-Dixie didn't carry the correct size I needed for a recipe, they were out of the beverage I wanted, and they didn't have a spice I needed. Again... I go to Publix and there it is.
I live near Brownwood so I'm not taking the 20 min. drive to go to Walmart. It's just not worth it to me. Plus I've found they also don't always have the correct ingredient for a recipe I'm making. I LOVE Fresh Market. But, again, it's a drive for me and I have a tee time to make.
Convenience and minimal frustration are important to me. So I like Publix.
If you're willing to drive an hour to save 10 cents on milk... knock yourself out. I'm not judging you... I just don't want to spend my time that way.