Why I love Publix

[Mleeja]

Many people talk/write about how Publix is more expensive than some other grocery stores. Here is our experience at Publix today that will keep me coming back, regardless of the price. "The Boss" likes Mountain Dew Diet Code Red. Not all stores carry this soft drink. We shopped at the Publix in Spanish Plaines which is now undergoing reconstruction. We have been going to the Publix in Southern Trace. In the soft drink aside, the slot for Mountain Dew Diet Code Red was filled with a different soft drink. On the way out we stopped at the Customer Service desk to ask for a rain check. The young lady that was helping us told us she would order the soft drink for us. As she was writing up the rain check, she said "just a minute, I would like to check the shelf tag" and was off. She was gone a couple of minutes and called back to the service desk. She was in the back of the store and found some Mountain Dew Diet Code Red on a pallet of Pepsi products. She dug out our soft drinks and brought them up to the service desk for us. This is what I call outstanding service and developing customer loyalty!

[mtdjed]

Wow! No reason to shop anywhere else.

[Mrs. Robinson]

Many people talk/write about how Publix is more expensive than some other grocery stores. Here is our experience at Publix today that will keep me coming back, regardless of the price. "The Boss" likes Mountain Dew Diet Code Red. Not all stores carry this soft drink. We shopped at the Publix in Spanish Plaines which is now undergoing reconstruction. We have been going to the Publix in Southern Trace. In the soft drink aside, the slot for Mountain Dew Diet Code Red was filled with a different soft drink. On the way out we stopped at the Customer Service desk to ask for a rain check. The young lady that was helping us told us she would order the soft drink for us. As she was writing up the rain check, she said "just a minute, I would like to check the shelf tag" and was off. She was gone a couple of minutes and called back to the service desk. She was in the back of the store and found some Mountain Dew Diet Code Red on a pallet of Pepsi products. She dug out our soft drinks and brought them up to the service desk for us. This is what I call outstanding service and developing customer loyalty!

Wow! No reason to shop anywhere else.

Wow! There is a reason to shop elsewhere.

Yes, for most people there is a reason to shop elsewhere unless some sort of special is going on.

While good customer service is usually a reason for shopping somewhere -- sorry, but overall, price is king!
And overall, Publix happens to (probably) be the most expensive supermarket in Florida.

[rubicon]

Wow! There is a reason to shop elsewhere.

Yes, for most people there is a reason to shop elsewhere unless some sort of special is going on.

While good customer service is usually a reason for shopping somewhere -- sorry, but overall, price is king!
And overall, Publix happens to (probably) be the most expensive supermarket in Florida.

exactly, my wife has a photographic memory when it comes to store prices food, clothing , etc. So to her, like you, the best store is the store with the best price ( and yes value is always in her equation)

[Mleeja]

Wow! There is a reason to shop elsewhere.

Yes, for most people there is a reason to shop elsewhere unless some sort of special is going on.

While good customer service is usually a reason for shopping somewhere -- sorry, but overall, price is king!
And overall, Publix happens to (probably) be the most expensive supermarket in Florida.

Yes, for some, price is more important than service or quality. If price is the most important factor, then by all means drive out 20 minutes out of your way to save your 3 cents on a can of green beans.

The grocery store stores in and around TV aggressively compete with each other. On any given week, items will be on-sale at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Aldi, Sam's, Walmart, etc. Overtime all the stores will average out to be about the same. If a person is a savvy shopper, they can purchase their favorite items when on sale and save dollars.

[Lindaketchup]

Glad you took the time to post about your positive experience!!

[Taltarzac725]

I go to maybe eight different Publixes in the Villages' area. Hard to keep their aisle arrangement's in mind as they seem all to be different from one another. We compare the various ads in the newspapers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for prices and will go to Publix, Winn-Dixie, or Wal-Mart according to these ads.

One is closed unfortunately and that is a Public I would go to quite often. They are doing some kind of remodeling at the Spanish Plaines Shopping Center off of US 441/27 where there is a Publix. http://www.publix.com/locations/1334-spanish-plaines-shopping-center

[Challenger]

Service minded- great community citizen- fair prices(IMO)- clean. wide range of products.

[Mikeod]

They must be doing something right as you can barely get into the one at Colony, let alone find a parking space. Plus there are 7 within TV.

[Chatbrat]

clean, wide isles and well stocked--best super mkt meat-despite what Winn Dixie claims

[Gpsma]

I hate when all the slicers behind the deli have to yell out..WELCOME TO PUBLIX DELI.

I don't think "service" is all that important in a supermarket. More important to me is that it be clean and well stocked.

[Boomer]

I love Publix. I really miss Publix clean, bright, service-oriented stores when I am north in the land of Krogrrrrr. (I wish Kroger and Meijer would send reconnaissance teams to Publix to see how it should be done.)

I love those Publix recipes with the ingredients all in a row. Before I headed north this time, I bought the Publix cookbook to bring along. (Of course, now I will have to forage for the ingredients at Krogrrrrr where the plot seems to be to make anything not a Kroger brand almost impossible to find.)

I even love the green shirts the Publix employees wear, as well as the green theme throughout the store.

I love Publix reusable grocery bags, hanging there at checkout, with their lovely, ever-changing designs. I have used those bags as Easter baskets. And I even bought the one with the big letter P on it so I could use it as a monogrammed purse. (Goodbye Coach. :D )

But the biggest reason I love Publix is because I love their business plan. The employees own a big percentage of Publix through their privately held stock. The family that owns Publix has its share of billionaires but their successful business was not built on the backs of their employees. Publix was built alongside the employees.

According to an article in Forbes, "All staffers who have put in 1000 work hours and a year of employment receive an additional 8.5% of their pay in company stock." Publix makes the Forbes "America's Best Employers" list. Publix is on Fortune's "100 Best" list, too.

Even though Publix stock is not publicly traded, it functions like many publicly traded companies that believe in profit-sharing. Cincinnati-based Procter and Gamble has been well known for its employee stock plan. There are many successful companies that do the same thing.

Employee ownership in a company is capitalism in its best form. And that's the kind of capitalism I love. (Just imagine if all the cashiers at Walmart received company stock in addition to their pay.)


Link to cited source from Forbes:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2015/05/28/publix-floridas-supermarket-king-mints-another-billionaire/#48db5bf95d3f

[Mrs. Robinson]

Yes, for some, price is more important than service or quality. If price is the most important factor, then by all means drive out 20 minutes out of your way to save your 3 cents on a can of green beans.

The grocery store stores in and around TV aggressively compete with each other. On any given week, items will be on-sale at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Aldi, Sam's, Walmart, etc. Overtime all the stores will average out to be about the same. If a person is a savvy shopper, they can purchase their favorite items when on sale and save dollars.

For the average American anywhere in the country, price is the most important factor in buying anything.
All grocery stores and supermarkets are always in competition with one another, as are department stores, discount stores, etc.

Over time, Publix, Winn Dixie, Walmart and Aldi's do not average out to be the same.
You cannot put a big box store in the same category as a supermarket or grocery store.

If "Mountain Dew Diet Code Red" is the most important thing on your shopping list and Publix is the only one who has it, by all means, shop there.
However, Aldi's prices for produce are the best of all the stores and their quality is excellent. They are significantly less than even Walmart on many items and they happen to donate their "still edible" older fruits and vegetables to charity.
No one is less expensive for pet food than Walmart and they are significantly less expensive than Winn Dixie or Publix.
Winn Dixie has always been known for their meats and Publix has always been known for breaking up a package of produce, if necessary.
While Walmart is certainly not known for their great customer service, most customers have really never suffered from a lack of it.
So again, if it's a question of being a savvy shopper, by definition, that means that someone is shopping for the best prices overall.

[Nucky]

Each supermarket in The Villages serves a niche. Come on anybody ever shop in Whole Check? I mean Whole Foods or Wegmans or Kings? Those in my opinion are in another world on prices. We tried Aldi's and thought it was OK. We use a combo of Sams, Walmart and Publix. We switched our pharmacy to Publix and it is our go to store for weekly shopping. They respect everyone in that store on Bichara. I watched them jump into action on a person who was having a medical episode. They really have their act together. Kind, Caring Staff and cleanliness counts. I'm with the OP we love Publix also.

[Barefoot]

Service minded- great community citizen- fair prices(IMO)- clean. wide range of products.

I love Publix and really miss it when I'm up north.
Our local Publix offers to bring items in if they're not regularly stocked.

[slipcovers]

Wow! There is a reason to shop elsewhere.

Yes, for most people there is a reason to shop elsewhere unless some sort of special is going on.

While good customer service is usually a reason for shopping somewhere -- sorry, but overall, price is king!
And overall, Publix happens to (probably) be the most expensive supermarket in Florida.

And that is exactly why there are empty stores in Brownwood. They can't compete with Home Goods, Marshalls, HD and especially online. They are gradually becoming obsolete.

[ggnlars]

Understand, the most important cost item for me is time. I hate every second I spend grocery shopping, so I pick the place that has the best selection and quality and then possibly price. The price setting techniques that they use are very sophisticated. They all set their sale and other prices to yield the needed return on an average week for the time of the year. Yes, you might cherry pick items on a certain week that makes one store look better than another. However, over the long haul and particularly if your doing multiple stores each week, that savings is washed away. We have been shopping at Publix for over twenty years now. Is there a better grocery store, yes, I can think of several. However, none of those are here. The store with the most consistent quality and selection here is Publix. Store to store they have a consistent level of overall characteristics. The others all fall short there. Each can have a bright spot store, but when the people change so does the store.

[Bjeanj]

I shop at Publix, and love their app. Depending on which store you are at, you can specify that store on the app and it tells you, in order, what aisle everything is. Sure saves me time!

[duffysmom]

I love Publix. I really miss Publix clean, bright, service-oriented stores when I am north in the land of Krogrrrrr. (I wish Kroger and Meijer would send reconnaissance teams to Publix to see how it should be done.)

I love those Publix recipes with the ingredients all in a row. Before I headed north this time, I bought the Publix cookbook to bring along. (Of course, now I will have to forage for the ingredients at Krogrrrrr where the plot seems to be to make anything not a Kroger brand almost impossible to find.)

I even love the green shirts the Publix employees wear, as well as the green theme throughout the store.

I love Publix reusable grocery bags, hanging there at checkout, with their lovely, ever-changing designs. I have used those bags as Easter baskets. And I even bought the one with the big letter P on it so I could use it as a monogrammed purse. (Goodbye Coach. :D )

But the biggest reason I love Publix is because I love their business plan. The employees own a big percentage of Publix through their privately held stock. The family that owns Publix has its share of billionaires but their successful business was not built on the backs of their employees. Publix was built alongside the employees.

According to an article in Forbes, "All staffers who have put in 1000 work hours and a year of employment receive an additional 8.5% of their pay in company stock." Publix makes the Forbes "America's Best Employers" list. Publix is on Fortune's "100 Best" list, too.

Even though Publix stock is not publicly traded, it functions like many publicly traded companies that believe in profit-sharing. Cincinnati-based Procter and Gamble has been well known for its employee stock plan. There are many successful companies that do the same thing.

Employee ownership in a company is capitalism in its best form. And that's the kind of capitalism I love. (Just imagine if all the cashiers at Walmart received company stock in addition to their pay.)


Link to cited source from Forbes:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2015/05/28/publix-floridas-supermarket-king-mints-another-billionaire/#48db5bf95d3f

Another Publix lover here.:clap2:. Boomer your note was so informative and I enjoy your humor, thank you. My time is too precious to waste going from market to market in order to save a few pennies.

[rubicon]

Understand, the most important cost item for me is time. I hate every second I spend grocery shopping, so I pick the place that has the best selection and quality and then possibly price. The price setting techniques that they use are very sophisticated. They all set their sale and other prices to yield the needed return on an average week for the time of the year. Yes, you might cherry pick items on a certain week that makes one store look better than another. However, over the long haul and particularly if your doing multiple stores each week, that savings is washed away. We have been shopping at Publix for over twenty years now. Is there a better grocery store, yes, I can think of several. However, none of those are here. The store with the most consistent quality and selection here is Publix. Store to store they have a consistent level of overall characteristics. The others all fall short there. Each can have a bright spot store, but when the people change so does the store.

You and I agree. Heck if I am the one shopping I do not even bother looking at prices.

I recognize that as a weakness and so let my wife take the lead in this area. I kid her and tell her I do the little things because she is our purchasing agent and we need her to devote her time to that specialty.

Why do I do so. because when you witness one store manager after another congratulate your wife on her shopping acumen you become a believe. when you hear manager say after several items have been priced that "we owe you change" you become a believer. when you see her stretch a dime to a dollar well then.......

what she does takes much preparation and he has gotten so good at it that she has it down to a fine science. This is serious business for her whether its food products, furniture, a car

to each his own and God bless you and yours.

[Carl in Tampa]

I love Publix. I really miss Publix clean, bright, service-oriented stores when I am north in the land of Krogrrrrr. (I wish Kroger and Meijer would send reconnaissance teams to Publix to see how it should be done.)

I love those Publix recipes with the ingredients all in a row. Before I headed north this time, I bought the Publix cookbook to bring along. (Of course, now I will have to forage for the ingredients at Krogrrrrr where the plot seems to be to make anything not a Kroger brand almost impossible to find.)

I even love the green shirts the Publix employees wear, as well as the green theme throughout the store.

I love Publix reusable grocery bags, hanging there at checkout, with their lovely, ever-changing designs. I have used those bags as Easter baskets. And I even bought the one with the big letter P on it so I could use it as a monogrammed purse. (Goodbye Coach. :D )

But the biggest reason I love Publix is because I love their business plan. The employees own a big percentage of Publix through their privately held stock. The family that owns Publix has its share of billionaires but their successful business was not built on the backs of their employees. Publix was built alongside the employees.

According to an article in Forbes, "All staffers who have put in 1000 work hours and a year of employment receive an additional 8.5% of their pay in company stock." Publix makes the Forbes "America's Best Employers" list. Publix is on Fortune's "100 Best" list, too.

Even though Publix stock is not publicly traded, it functions like many publicly traded companies that believe in profit-sharing. Cincinnati-based Procter and Gamble has been well known for its employee stock plan. There are many successful companies that do the same thing.

Employee ownership in a company is capitalism in its best form. And that's the kind of capitalism I love. (Just imagine if all the cashiers at Walmart received company stock in addition to their pay.)


Link to cited source from Forbes:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2015/05/28/publix-floridas-supermarket-king-mints-another-billionaire/#48db5bf95d3f

Publix items may cost a bit more because they provide for their employees better than most grocery stores.

I attended college with the grandson of the founder of Publix. When it came his turn, he became President of the company. In college he was a down-to-earth, friendly person, and few people knew he was a millionaire. After college we were in touch a few times and he was as friendly as ever. He donated several million dollars to our alma mater for new construction.

Here's something you might find interesting about Publix stores. Every store has an emergency power generator which provides power to the store if commercial power is interrupted, so none of the frozen or refrigerated food ever has a chance to defrost, or partially defrost, with the potential for spoilage. This is important in a state that is subject to hurricanes, tropical storms, and thunderstorms that can interrupt electrical service.

Many other stores do not have this feature. At these stores a store manager may convince himself that a power failure that does not result in full defrosting of frozen food may be overlooked if power is restored in time to re-freeze the food. Not a chance I want to take.

Well stocked stores, good customer service, employee friendly benefits............ Publix works for me.

[Topspinmo]

I like publix they close and have good lottery counter. I sometimes pick up few items while in there. I do watch out for the 2 for 1 ice cream sale also. Then on the way out I can weigh myself see if I'm buying too much ice cream!

[Wiotte]

Many people talk/write about how Publix is more expensive than some other grocery stores. Here is our experience at Publix today that will keep me coming back, regardless of the price. "The Boss" likes Mountain Dew Diet Code Red. Not all stores carry this soft drink. We shopped at the Publix in Spanish Plaines which is now undergoing reconstruction. We have been going to the Publix in Southern Trace. In the soft drink aside, the slot for Mountain Dew Diet Code Red was filled with a different soft drink. On the way out we stopped at the Customer Service desk to ask for a rain check. The young lady that was helping us told us she would order the soft drink for us. As she was writing up the rain check, she said "just a minute, I would like to check the shelf tag" and was off. She was gone a couple of minutes and called back to the service desk. She was in the back of the store and found some Mountain Dew Diet Code Red on a pallet of Pepsi products. She dug out our soft drinks and brought them up to the service desk for us. This is what I call outstanding service and developing customer loyalty!


Nice story, but for us Walmart is good enough.

[autumnspring]

I love Publix. I really miss Publix clean, bright, service-oriented stores when I am north in the land of Krogrrrrr. (I wish Kroger and Meijer would send reconnaissance teams to Publix to see how it should be done.)

I love those Publix recipes with the ingredients all in a row. Before I headed north this time, I bought the Publix cookbook to bring along. (Of course, now I will have to forage for the ingredients at Krogrrrrr where the plot seems to be to make anything not a Kroger brand almost impossible to find.)

I even love the green shirts the Publix employees wear, as well as the green theme throughout the store.

I love Publix reusable grocery bags, hanging there at checkout, with their lovely, ever-changing designs. I have used those bags as Easter baskets. And I even bought the one with the big letter P on it so I could use it as a monogrammed purse. (Goodbye Coach. :D )

But the biggest reason I love Publix is because I love their business plan. The employees own a big percentage of Publix through their privately held stock. The family that owns Publix has its share of billionaires but their successful business was not built on the backs of their employees. Publix was built alongside the employees.

According to an article in Forbes, "All staffers who have put in 1000 work hours and a year of employment receive an additional 8.5% of their pay in company stock." Publix makes the Forbes "America's Best Employers" list. Publix is on Fortune's "100 Best" list, too.

Even though Publix stock is not publicly traded, it functions like many publicly traded companies that believe in profit-sharing. Cincinnati-based Procter and Gamble has been well known for its employee stock plan. There are many successful companies that do the same thing.

Employee ownership in a company is capitalism in its best form. And that's the kind of capitalism I love. (Just imagine if all the cashiers at Walmart received company stock in addition to their pay.)


Link to cited source from Forbes:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2015/05/28/publix-floridas-supermarket-king-mints-another-billionaire/#48db5bf95d3f

Privately held stock? Who then can you sell it to? For that matter financial advice usually tells you not to hold your assets in company stock. People who worked for ENRON for eaxampl not only lost their jobs but any company stock they held is valueless.

[Boomer]

Privately held stock? Who then can you sell it to? For that matter financial advice usually tells you not to hold your assets in company stock. People who worked for ENRON for eaxampl not only lost their jobs but any company stock they held is valueless.

Well, gee, susiegel, ENRON, you say? Enron, that symbol of greed, fraud, and corruption. Not even close to a comparison.

Publix has been around since 1930. If you would like to learn a little more about Publix stock, which is called an ESOP, here is an article from the business section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Retire as a millionaire, college degree not required (http://www.ajc.com/business/employment/retire-millionaire-from-this-company-college-degree-not-required/PWg5SAhU4jRy78tCnwdLlN/)


Publix items may cost a bit more because they provide for their employees better than most grocery stores.

I attended college with the grandson of the founder of Publix. When it came his turn, he became President of the company. In college he was a down-to-earth, friendly person, and few people knew he was a millionaire. After college we were in touch a few times and he was as friendly as ever. He donated several million dollars to our alma mater for new construction.

Here's something you might find interesting about Publix stores. Every store has an emergency power generator which provides power to the store if commercial power is interrupted, so none of the frozen or refrigerated food ever has a chance to defrost, or partially defrost, with the potential for spoilage. This is important in a state that is subject to hurricanes, tropical storms, and thunderstorms that can interrupt electrical service.

Many other stores do not have this feature. At these stores a store manager may convince himself that a power failure that does not result in full defrosting of frozen food may be overlooked if power is restored in time to re-freeze the food. Not a chance I want to take.

Well stocked stores, good customer service, employee friendly benefits............ Publix works for me.

Hey, Carl, thanks for your post about the personal connection. Your story reinforces what I have thought for a very long time......"Money makes good people better and bad people worse." and "Unrestrained greed is not only bad morals, it's bad economics." (I have a bit of a fascination with behavioral economics -- big picture and little picture -- and I think those two sayings are usually right.)

And speaking of quotes -- in the article I linked above in response to susiegel, there is a quote from George Jenkins who was the founder of Publix, in 1930. When Jenkins was asked how much he would be worth if he had not given so much away, his answer was, "Nothing." -- It sounds like his grandson, whom you knew, was a darn good example of, "The apple does not fall far from the tree."

Publix is an interesting company. I hope they continue to take care of their employees. (I think I might have talked a produce guy in a Kroger in Ohio into moving to Florida.....Well, actually he had been thinking about it anyway, but he did not know about Publix. Now, he does. Hey, I do what I can to help out.) :)

[Carl in Tampa]

Privately held stock? Who then can you sell it to? For that matter financial advice usually tells you not to hold your assets in company stock. People who worked for ENRON for eaxampl not only lost their jobs but any company stock they held is valueless.

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.

[RedBaron]

Another Publix lover here.:clap2:. Boomer your note was so informative and I enjoy your humor, thank you. My time is too precious to waste going from market to market in order to save a few pennies.



Agree with both posts. New here to The Villages and my time is valuable as I work full time. Running around to several different stores to save a few cents isn't worth it. The customer service at Publix is outstanding. Last week I purchased two nice steaks, however wasn't going to need them for a week and asked the gentleman at the meat counter to double wrap it for me. Well, he not only double wrapped it, but then wrapped it several times with saran. When I thawed the steaks, no freezer burn. I've had multiple incidences at Publix that were positive, something I didn't see in stores such as Walmart where no one seems to care. Oh, and I love the fact they wheel out the umbrellas for you or even cart your groceries to your car for you when it is raining! Talk about service! Another satisfied customer! :thumbup:

[Mrs. Robinson]

Agree with both posts. New here to The Villages and my time is valuable as I work full time. Running around to several different stores to save a few cents isn't worth it. The customer service at Publix is outstanding. Last week I purchased two nice steaks, however wasn't going to need them for a week and asked the gentleman at the meat counter to double wrap it for me. Well, he not only double wrapped it, but then wrapped it several times with saran. When I thawed the steaks, no freezer burn. I've had multiple incidences at Publix that were positive, something I didn't see in stores such as Walmart where no one seems to care. Oh, and I love the fact they wheel out the umbrellas for you or even cart your groceries to your car for you when it is raining! Talk about service! Another satisfied customer! :thumbup:

There is no question that Publix offers excellent customer service.

However, in a week's time, you will never get freezer burn on anything.

[Topspinmo]

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.

[JohnN]

I didn't like Sweet Bay. I was a die-hard Publix fan. Good service, that too, sure. The last year, Publix sale items have always been out of stock (rainchecks are a pain too) and their sales are few and far between. Winn-Dixie on the other hand, has had great sales - and when I asked their customer service manager to stock something, they went ahead and did it. So, service is a tie, price and sales goes to Winn-Dixie.

[Miles42]

Ilove Honey Crisp apples. $99 a lb. Bought three 7 dollars plus two where rotten. Publix at Traveres plaza

[Challenger]

Ilove Honey Crisp apples. $99 a lb. Bought three 7 dollars plus two where rotten. Publix at Traveres plaza

Why would you buy rotten apples?

[The Buckeyes]

They must be doing something right as you can barely get into the one at Colony, let alone find a parking space. Plus there are 7 within TV.

That will change once Walmart opens across the street.

[Villageswimmer]

Ilove Honey Crisp apples. $99 a lb. Bought three 7 dollars plus two where rotten. Publix at Traveres plaza


I'd have packed 'me up and returned them. They would have refunded you no questions asked. Sometimes fruit looks good til you cut it open. :icon_wink:

[Mrs. Robinson]

They must be doing something right as you can barely get into the one at Colony, let alone find a parking space. Plus there are 7 within TV.

It couldn't possibly be because it's the only supermarket in the area, could it?

[Mrs. Robinson]

That will change once Walmart opens across the street.

Bingo! You are right on target. Watch what happens!

[John_W]

It couldn't possibly be because it's the only supermarket in the area, could it?

I guess Winn Dixie doesn't count, or you just forgot about them? Maybe it's because W/D sucks more than Publix charges too much. It isn't that far to Pinellas Plaza and besides it gives Villagers a lot more time driving their golf cart to and from, and that's half the fun. If Publix was that bad, Winn Dixie would get a lot more business at their end of 466A.

[Challenger]

I guess Winn Dixie doesn't count, or you just forgot about them? Maybe it's because W/D sucks more than Publix charges too much. It isn't that far to Pinellas Plaza and besides it gives Villagers a lot more time driving their golf cart to and from, and that's half the fun. If Publix was that bad, Winn Dixie would get a lot more business at their end of 466A.

First Sweet Bay and then WD at Sumter landing-very low customer volumes despite prices and location advantages

[jane032657]

I like Pubix because I was at the one on Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores today and the checkout young woman and the young person doing the food bagging said they thought I was 40 years old. I am going back every day just to visit them.

[Bjeanj]

I like Pubix because I was at the one on Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores today and the checkout young woman and the young person doing the food bagging said they thought I was 40 years old. I am going back every day just to visit them.

:bigbow:

[justjim]

Service minded- great community citizen- fair prices(IMO)- clean. wide range of products.

Agree and I would add---golf cart accessible, convenient, and employee owned.

[autumnspring]

Well, gee, susiegel, ENRON, you say? Enron, that symbol of greed, fraud, and corruption. Not even close to a comparison.

Publix has been around since 1930. If you would like to learn a little more about Publix stock, which is called an ESOP, here is an article from the business section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Retire as a millionaire, college degree not required (http://www.ajc.com/business/employment/retire-millionaire-from-this-company-college-degree-not-required/PWg5SAhU4jRy78tCnwdLlN/)




Hey, Carl, thanks for your post about the personal connection. Your story reinforces what I have thought for a very long time......"Money makes good people better and bad people worse." and "Unrestrained greed is not only bad morals, it's bad economics." (I have a bit of a fascination with behavioral economics -- big picture and little picture -- and I think those two sayings are usually right.)

And speaking of quotes -- in the article I linked above in response to susiegel, there is a quote from George Jenkins who was the founder of Publix, in 1930. When Jenkins was asked how much he would be worth if he had not given so much away, his answer was, "Nothing." -- It sounds like his grandson, whom you knew, was a darn good example of, "The apple does not fall far from the tree."

Publix is an interesting company. I hope they continue to take care of their employees. (I think I might have talked a produce guy in a Kroger in Ohio into moving to Florida.....Well, actually he had been thinking about it anyway, but he did not know about Publix. Now, he does. Hey, I do what I can to help out.) :)

I must admit that I've never heard of ESOP so I looked it up. Employee Stock Ownership Plan applying an alphabet to it does not change my point. Investing your retirement in the place you work I not a good financial plan. As I said the only place to sell your stock is back to the company.
You objected to the ENRON analogy that really does not change what I have said. I do not know anyone who worked for ENRON. I do know people who worked for KODAK.

People at Publix do see happy and I wish them well. You might be interested that ALDIS and LIDL discount German grocers are both expanding into this territory. Then you have AMAZON going into groceries. There will surely be tighter margins for grocery stores.

[Carl in Tampa]

I must admit that I've never heard of ESOP so I looked it up. Employee Stock Ownership Plan applying an alphabet to it does not change my point. Investing your retirement in the place you work I not a good financial plan. As I said the only place to sell your stock is back to the company.
You objected to the ENRON analogy that really does not change what I have said. I do not know anyone who worked for ENRON. I do know people who worked for KODAK.

People at Publix do see happy and I wish them well. You might be interested that ALDIS and LIDL discount German grocers are both expanding into this territory. Then you have AMAZON going into groceries. There will surely be tighter margins for grocery stores.

Well, clearly you did not read the article linked by Boomer. Here is another opportunity to read it.

Retire as a millionaire, college degree not required (http://www.ajc.com/business/employment/retire-millionaire-from-this-company-college-degree-not-required/PWg5SAhU4jRy78tCnwdLlN/)

Stock in the company is a GIFT which the employees receive at no cost. Details at the linked article.

The employees are not "investing their retirement in the place where they work." There is a separate 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.

Look at the benefits for all employees, understanding that there are more benefits for other specialized areas.

Core Benefits for All Eligible Associates

Employee stock ownership plan that contributes Publix stock to associates each year at no cost to them
An opportunity to purchase additional shares of our privately held stock
Annual holiday cash bonus
All hourly associates are paid weekly
401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match
Group health plan (with prescription benefits)
Group dental plan
Group vision plan
Free flu shots
Direct deposit in up to three separate checking or savings accounts
Credit union membership
Tuition reimbursement
Service awards
Employee assistance program
Opportunities for advancement
Opportunity to participate annually in a survey to let management know your opinion on a wide range of workplace quality issues.

[dbussone]

Well, clearly you did not read the article linked by Boomer. Here is another opportunity to read it.



Retire as a millionaire, college degree not required (http://www.ajc.com/business/employment/retire-millionaire-from-this-company-college-degree-not-required/PWg5SAhU4jRy78tCnwdLlN/)



Stock in the company is a GIFT which the employees receive at no cost. Details at the linked article.



The employees are not "investing their retirement in the place where they work." There is a separate 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.



Look at the benefits for all employees, understanding that there are more benefits for other specialized areas.



Core Benefits for All Eligible Associates



Employee stock ownership plan that contributes Publix stock to associates each year at no cost to them

An opportunity to purchase additional shares of our privately held stock

Annual holiday cash bonus

All hourly associates are paid weekly

401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match

Group health plan (with prescription benefits)

Group dental plan

Group vision plan

Free flu shots

Direct deposit in up to three separate checking or savings accounts

Credit union membership

Tuition reimbursement

Service awards

Employee assistance program

Opportunities for advancement

Opportunity to participate annually in a survey to let management know your opinion on a wide range of workplace quality issues.



This is a company that wishes to incentivize and take care of its employees. Certainly top management is an enlightened group.


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[Mrs. Robinson]

I guess Winn Dixie doesn't count, or you just forgot about them? Maybe it's because W/D sucks more than Publix charges too much. It isn't that far to Pinellas Plaza and besides it gives Villagers a lot more time driving their golf cart to and from, and that's half the fun. If Publix was that bad, Winn Dixie would get a lot more business at their end of 466A.

No, I didn't forget Winn Dixie.
But -- Winn Dixie is a couple of miles down the road and many Villagers are inherently lazy and it's too far for them to go.
Many shoppers put convenience at the top of their list.
I say if you have to get in your car to drive somewhere anyway, what's the difference if it takes 5 minutes longer???
Go figure!

I am not anti Publix.
They have terrific customer service and there are many good things about them which have been mentioned by previous supporters.
However, the fact remains that they are still the most expensive supermarket in the general area.

[Miles42]

I'd have packed 'me up and returned them. They would have refunded you no questions asked. Sometimes fruit looks good til you cut it open. :icon_wink:

exactly i did not know until cut

[ColdNoMore]

So far, the Publix in Southern Trace is the only one I've found that allows $100 cash back on debit cards...instead of just $50.

Since the price of groceries is not something that would make me drive out of my way to save a few bucks (not to say that I don't respect those that it is important to...because I do), the fact that this Publix seems to have nice employees and they give the $100 cash back...makes it my primary 'go to' grocery store. :shrug:

[Bavarian]

Aldi runs out of advertised sale items and no rain checks, the stores in Bayern are better than the one here.
Lidl in Bayern never saw food for sale, did buy a drying rack for clothes. Though others have said they are trying to make the US stores good, we will see.

Walmart is good for non-food items and boxed items. Bought a couple of bags of bread flour and the five boxes of Belgian Waffle bis they had, then went to Publix.

[stan the man]

I can say nothing but good about Publix. Everything is 5 stars, love the cold cut counter, sushi,wine etc

[OldManTime]

And for those that can't afford the Publixs price, we go to Aldi mostly, and Walmart, 1/2 the price of Publixs.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Many people talk/write about how Publix is more expensive than some other grocery stores. Here is our experience at Publix today that will keep me coming back, regardless of the price. "The Boss" likes Mountain Dew Diet Code Red. Not all stores carry this soft drink. We shopped at the Publix in Spanish Plaines which is now undergoing reconstruction. We have been going to the Publix in Southern Trace. In the soft drink aside, the slot for Mountain Dew Diet Code Red was filled with a different soft drink. On the way out we stopped at the Customer Service desk to ask for a rain check. The young lady that was helping us told us she would order the soft drink for us. As she was writing up the rain check, she said "just a minute, I would like to check the shelf tag" and was off. She was gone a couple of minutes and called back to the service desk. She was in the back of the store and found some Mountain Dew Diet Code Red on a pallet of Pepsi products. She dug out our soft drinks and brought them up to the service desk for us. This is what I call outstanding service and developing customer loyalty!

This is one of the reasons that Publix has the highest prices and yet sells more than any other supermarket chain in the south.

Also, the selection and cleanliness of the stores puts them way ahead of all the others.

[Mleeja]

And for those that can't afford the Publixs price, we go to Aldi mostly, and Walmart, 1/2 the price of Publixs.

I am not discouraging your shopping at Walmart or Aldo, but you would be surprised how small the cost difference between the stores. I don't think you can provide examples of where based of equal products, Aldi or Walmart is 1/2 the price of Publix.

[Mrs. Robinson]

I am not discouraging your shopping at Walmart or Aldo, but you would be surprised how small the cost difference between the stores. I don't think you can provide examples of where based of equal products, Aldi or Walmart is 1/2 the price of Publix.

The prices are not half the cost of those at Publix, but there is a significant difference between what Publix may charge versus Aldi's and/or Walmart.

Walmart has an excellent fruit pie for $3.98. The Publix price is a few dollars more for the same type of pie.

Publix charges at least $.10 more per can than Walmart, for Friskies cat food.

Aldi's will charge $1.29 for a pineapple. I defy you to find anything near that kind of price at Publix.
They charge one price for a large bag of grapes -- not by the pound.
Their Romaine lettuce comes in a bag of three and costs about what you pay for one head at Publix.
They have a terrific chocolate cream cake for $2.99. You will never find that at Publix.

There are many examples of the differences in pricing and overall -- you definitely are speaking about more than just a few cents!
I am not speaking about what someone can afford.
It all comes down to being a smart shopper, but some people just don't care.

[Wiotte]

We do Publix only for the 2fer's.


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[hulahips]

I Love the fact you don't need a card to shop! My purse is getting heavy carrying cards for everything. Lol

[perrjojo]

I Love the fact you don't need a card to shop! My purse is getting heavy carrying cards for everything. Lol
I agree plus great service, clean stores, well paid employees.

[Fredster]

I am not discouraging your shopping at Walmart or Aldo, but you would be surprised how small the cost difference between the stores. I don't think you can provide examples of where based of equal products, Aldi or Walmart is 1/2 the price of Publix.

I try to buy many items at Publix, but it sure bothers me
that the prices are substantially more on the same exact items that can be bought elsewhere.
Maybe not half, but quite a bit more.

[rubicon]

And for those that can't afford the Publixs price, we go to Aldi mostly, and Walmart, 1/2 the price of Publixs.

We can well afford Publix's prices but why given the price-value equation would anyone pay more that what s/he had too? Its a personal choice so live and let live.

[rubicon]

I must admit that I've never heard of ESOP so I looked it up. Employee Stock Ownership Plan applying an alphabet to it does not change my point. Investing your retirement in the place you work I not a good financial plan. As I said the only place to sell your stock is back to the company.
You objected to the ENRON analogy that really does not change what I have said. I do not know anyone who worked for ENRON. I do know people who worked for KODAK.

People at Publix do see happy and I wish them well. You might be interested that ALDIS and LIDL discount German grocers are both expanding into this territory. Then you have AMAZON going into groceries. There will surely be tighter margins for grocery stores.

There are many employee owned grocery chains in the nation Two of the chains in Iowa are employee owned.

Aldi's is doing so well they are adding 900 stores in the USA and some of the locations are in high end locations.
Aldi's owns Trader Joe's

[Villageswimmer]

We love both Publix and Aldi...for different reasons.

[xkeowner]

I Love the fact you don't need a card to shop! My purse is getting heavy carrying cards for everything. Lol

If you carry a cell phone, check out an app called Cardstar. All of my cards on one easy app and I don't carry the cards.

[EdFNJ]

Publix Schmublix. Give me back my Wegmans, Costco and Trader Joe's!

We miss Wegs ALMOST as much as we miss our grandkids and driving over an our for TJs and Costco is the pits! :). Yes, we belong to SAMs but there is no comparison.


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[autumnspring]

I am not discouraging your shopping at Walmart or Aldo, but you would be surprised how small the cost difference between the stores. I don't think you can provide examples of where based of equal products, Aldi or Walmart is 1/2 the price of Publix.

I have a former business associate who is in Pittsburgh and is a big Aldis fan. We happened to be driving past the one on 441 so stopped by. They sell mostly if not all their private label merchandise> I do not know if they always have the same items so you could decide what you like and what you don't.

We bought several bags of salted snacks-they were featured on the way in. A one pound bag of pretzels was .89 that is far less than you would pay at Publix, Winn Dixie or Walmart. We also bought corn chips. They were all fine. We also bought shredded SHARP cheddar. It was about 1/3 less than the publix or the winn dixie private label stuff but it was far from sharp cheddar-more like shredded American cheese.

Would I go back? Probably if I was in the area. Some have said not worth my time to shop around. Based on my previous business, I figure it costs roughly .65 a mile to drive your car. True before we get into all kinds of debates, a lot of that is fixed costs-insurance, depreciation etc. But is it worth ......... driving expense to save .........sometimes it is and sometimes it is not.

[Barefoot]

We bought several bags of salted snacks-they were featured on the way in. To be fair, Publix and other grocery stores also have featured items which might be less than Aldi's price.

[Mleeja]

Publix Schmublix. Give me back my Wegmans, Costco and Trader Joe's!

We miss Wegs ALMOST as much as we miss our grandkids and driving over an our for TJs and Costco is the pits! :). Yes, we belong to SAMs but there is no comparison.


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If one can open this link, it is Consumer Reports 2017 listing of grocery stores. If you can't, or do not want to bother and look, Consumer Reports lists Wegmans as #1 and Publix #2. All you folks missing Wegmans, I-95 runs north as well. :wave:

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrSbgG42mtZ8xwA8SLBGOd_;_ylu=X3oDMTByM3V1YTV uBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMzBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--/RV=2/RE=1500269369/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wral.com%2fbest-and-worst-grocery-stores-in-the-country-ranked%2f14556367%2f/RK=1/RS=cmIZWfdNVYsCfhczMik9EvGacs0-

[EdFNJ]

Haha. From that I guess it's literally "your way or the highway". 😁

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[JSR22]

Haha. From that I guess it's literally "your way or the highway". 😁

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Response from someone who has no clue about Wegmans!
Most likely from West of the NE!

[Barefoot]

Publix Schmublix. Give me back my Wegmans, Costco and Trader Joe's!

I take it you've noticed those stores aren't available to you in The Villages.
Convenience is a wonderful thing --- and Publix is very convenient.

[EdFNJ]

I take it you've noticed those stores aren't available to you in The Villages.
Convenience is a wonderful thing --- and Publix is very convenient.

They're not ?!?! May our rivers be dammed! Guess I better sell. {wink wink}.

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[dbussone]

They're not ?!?! May our rivers be dammed! Guess I better sell. {wink wink}.

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We have no rivers and no Wegmens either. Go figure. I'll take TV any day.


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[EdFNJ]

We have no rivers and no Wegmens either. Go figure. I'll take TV any day.


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Not a chance. I gotta sell. I miss the black bean turkey burgers too much. Gonna dump this place next week. Just ain't worth it anymore. Gotta haf dem boigers.

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[Nucky]

They're not ?!?! May our rivers be dammed! Guess I better sell. {wink wink}.

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The Wegmans in Woodbridge was my wife's favorite also but with time she now raves about Publix. If you want the experience of Wegmans give Fresh Market a try its very nice just not as big as Wegman and they play very nice music while they pick your pocket.:popcorn: Just Kidding! I believe Wegmans would fail here because of the loyalty people have to their regular spot.

Hope your settling in nicely it takes a minute to feel totally comfortable. It will happen. The NJ Edge will leave if you wish it to. It can also be ignited in a heartbeat if needed. Take Care.:wave:

[EdFNJ]

The Wegman in Woodbridge was my wife's favorite also but with time she now raves about Publix. If you want the experience of Wegmans give Fresh Market a try its very nice just not as big as Wegman. I believe Wegmans would fail here because of the loyalty people have to their regular spot.

Hope your settling in nicely it takes a minute to feel totally comfortable. It will happen. The NJ Edge will leave if you wish it to. It can also be ignited in a heartbeat if needed. Take Care.:wave:
I've been to Fresh Market in South Florida many times but the one here is like a 7-11 compared to that one. Very small and limited. They won't even make a roast beef wrap! They're better than nothing though. Publix will make one but try and find a freshly ground black bean turkey burger. Not a chance!! Sad. So sad!

What made Wegs special was all the specialty prepared foods. Used to go there just for the $6 3 course lunch. [emoji1]

I'm mostly bustin' chops though because I find many folks on these forums so defensive. Sometimes I just like to troll some of them particularly when it comes to such important topics as this. 😆

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