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Shands for Kids Stories | Shop Publix and Create Miracles for Kids shandskids.org |
Publix Super Markets, Inc. (commonly known as Publix) is an American supermarket chain based in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, it is an employee-owned, privately held corporation and was ranked No. 10 on Forbes' 2008 list of America's Largest Private Companies and is the largest in Florida.[3] The company's first half of 2009 sales totaled US$12.4 billion, with profits of over $622.3 million,[2] ranking #101 on Fortune magazine's Fortune 500 list of U.S. companies for 2009. Supermarket News ranked Publix No. 7 in the 2009 "Top 75 North American Food Retailers" based on 2008 fiscal year sales.[4] Based on 2006 revenue, Publix is the fifteenth-largest retailer in the United States.[5] Publix has operations in five states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. It employs over 140,500 people at its 1,029 retail locations, cooking schools, corporate offices, eight grocery distribution centers, and nine Publix brand manufacturing facilities which produce its dairy, deli, bakery, and other food products.[6] In addition, Publix owns Crispers, a chain of restaurants in Florida specializing in salads; some Crispers locations are adjacent or built into the already existing deli department in select Publix Super Markets. Publix stands as one of the largest regional grocery chains in the United States. Its main competitors are national grocery chains Albertsons, IGA, Kroger, Save-a-Lot and Whole Foods; consolidated retail and warehouse chains, including Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club; and several regional grocery chains, including BI-LO, Fresh Market, Piggly Wiggly, Sweetbay and Winn-Dixie. Publix's slogan is "Where Shopping is a Pleasure".
[edit] History George Jenkins opened the first Publix market in Winter Haven, Florida, in 1930[7]. In 1934, his single store made $120,000 in sales. In 1935, he opened a second market, the Economy Food Store, in Winter Haven. Despite the Great Depression, his stores were financially successful. In 1940, Jenkins, affectionately called Mr. George by his employees, mortgaged an orange grove to build Florida's first supermarket. His "food palace" had piped-in music, air conditioning, cold cases for frozen and refrigerated items, in-store donut and flower shops, and electric-eye automatic doors. The supermarket became very popular among shoppers, but World War II materials shortages prevented him from building more for a few years. In 1945, Jenkins purchased the 19-store All American chain of food stores and converted them into Publix Super Markets.[8] In 1951, Publix moved its headquarters to Lakeland, Florida, and built its first distribution warehouse there. At the same time, it began to close the old All American stores and replace them with new stores. In 1956, for the first time, Publix crossed $50 million in sales and $1 million in profit. In 1957, the donut shop in each store was expanded into a full-service bakery. By 1959, Publix was the dominant supermarket chain in central Florida, and began expansion to southeast Florida. In 1963, the company built a distribution center in Miami, and began providing deli services. In 1970, sales crossed $500 million; they reached $1 billion in 1974, the same year in which stores began to open in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1982, the Presto! ATM network was launched, and the company soon installed ATMs in every Publix Super Market. Sales crossed $5 billion in 1989.[9] The first store outside of Florida opened in Savannah, Georgia, in 1991; and distribution and manufacturing facilities in Lawrenceville, Georgia, soon followed. Stores were soon opened in South Carolina (1993), Alabama (1996), and Tennessee (2002).   With the launch of PublixDirect on September 24, 2001, Publix attempted to enter the online grocery business, in hopes of serving the southeastern United States. The slogan used was "Online Shopping, Home Delivery." This occurred during the dot-com crash, alongside competitor Webvan's well publicized fall from grace. Publix found that demand for online grocery shopping in the Miami testing area was not as great as the company had expected, and shut down PublixDirect on August 23, 2003. Publix celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2005. During that time, it used the slogan "It's Been Our Pleasure." In early 2005, Publix renamed its checkout section from "Common Area" to "Customer Service". This change coincided with the beginnings of a new color and design scheme of the store's interior signage, which replaced the aging coral, navy blue and sea green design with emerald green, tan and gray. As of September 2009, there are some Publix stores which remain with the old uniforms. Each district has a selected store which will continue to use the old uniforms until none remain in the warehouses. Publix completed the implementation of its new point of sale terminals (PRICE — Publix Retail Improved Checkout Experience) in 2006, replacing the previous generation of IBM 4690 terminals. The new system combines a Hewlett-Packard RP5000 terminal with a touchscreen system and an Epson thermal printer. A separate LCD screen for customers lists the last several items scanned, the running total of the bill, customer savings, recipe ideas, and Publix advertising.[10][11] On February 5 2009, Publix opened its 1,000th store, located in St. Augustine, Florida. Publix is now one of only 5 grocery retailers to operate 1,000 stores in the United States. This is one of Publix's first stores designed around a new way to be energy efficient. The store includes motion sensor lights all through out the store, including on the freezer doors, and a overhead light system that can be controlled by each department. [edit] Market
Each store provides specific products and services in its grocery, deli, bakery, produce, floral, meat and seafood departments. Some stores have cafés, sushi bars, pharmacy departments, and/or adjoining liquor stores. In addition, Publix provides a comprehensive "special order" service. Irregularly stocked or rare items from almost all departments, even some products carried only by Publix's competitors, can be ordered through this service. This service includes some products that are normally only found at health food stores, including organic meats, fruits, and vegetables; in addition to vegetarian and vegan products; hypoallergenic foods; and other specialty food items. This service can be used at any Publix customer service counter. The customer service counter also provides check cashing (this service includes personal checks,Government issued checks , payroll checks (must call and verify employment), but not third-party checks or checks over $500.00), money orders, Western Union services, Rug Doctor rentals, and lottery tickets. Some stores also provide Ticketmaster and DVD rental services. Recently, Publix has discontinued their photo processing service and went to an exclusively online or mail-out service via the Snapfish program. [edit] Apron's[edit] Apron's Simple MealsA recent addition to the stores is its Apron's cooking demonstrations. Customers are encouraged to sample easy-to-make, nutritious dishes prepared at in-store kiosks and take a recipe card home with them. All recipes are developed in house using easy to prepare or prepackaged ingredients, often available at the Apron's kiosk. [edit] Apron's Make-Ahead MealsPublix has more recently introduced its Apron's Make-Ahead Meals concept, where customers can purchase six, eight, or twelve meals, assembled by themselves in-store, or, for an extra charge, an Apron's associate. These are standalone stores located in Jacksonville and Lithia, Florida. On June 30, 2009, Publix closed both Make-Ahead Meals locations. [12] [edit] Apron's Cooking SchoolPublix currently operates 5 cooking schools as part of its Apron's family. These schools are located in Boca Raton FL, Alpharetta GA, Tampa FL, Sarasota FL and Jacksonville FL. These classes are designed to aid the brand-new to the experienced cook wanting to expand their repertoire. Featuring Renowned chefs, authors and cooking celebrities as well as experienced cooking instructors, these classes are designed to teach everything from basic techniques to wine pairing. Publix also offers classes for children ages 8 to 12 and Teens ages 13 to 18 along with their parents. [edit] Publix SaborOn April 21, 2005, Publix opened its first Hispanic-themed supermarket, Publix Sabor, in the Puerto Rican majority neighborhood of Buenaventura Lakes just outside of Kissimmee, Florida. The 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) store, renovated from a pre-existing Publix Super Market, almost exclusively features Hispanic ethnic products, and has a cafe in the deli/bakery area that serves Hispanic food. A second store was opened shortly after in Hialeah, Florida, an area which is predominantly Cuban. Publix recently announced that they would be opening two more Sabor stores in the Miami area, one would be a remodeled store in the Flagler Park area and the location of the other is still under consideration. Two other Publix Sabor stores have opened. One is in Miller Square and the other opened on July 2, 2009 in Westchester Mall in Miami. [edit] Publix GreenWise MarketsPublix GreenWise Markets is a concept the company is trying in response to the increase in the number and profitability of health food stores and increasing awareness of nutrition, and will focus on natural and organic items, similar to a Whole Foods Market. This is an expansion of a concept that already has been running for several years, as most stores already have a GreenWise section.[13] In addition to the traditional and organic products offered, the stores include an extensive array of salad and hot bars. The first six stores will be in Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, Vero Beach, Tampa, Naples, and Coral Springs.[14] The first GreenWise Market opened on September 27, 2007 in Palm Beach Gardens. The second Publix GreenWise Market opened in Boca Raton on May 29, 2008, located in Boca Village Square.[15] The third Publix GreenWise Market opened November 6, 2008, in Tampa's Hyde Park area.[16] Another Publix GreenWise store is planned to open in Tallahassee, Florida, sometime in 2009. In the 2008 purchase of Albertson's Stores, Publix decided to convert a store located in the Dr. Phillips Area of Orlando, Florida to a Publix GreenWise Market. The store is expected to open in the spring of 2010. These stores are the only ones in the supermarket chain to provide free wi-fi service to its customers.
[edit] Pharmacy Publix's first in-store pharmacy was opened in 1986 in Altamonte Springs, Florida. In 1995, one-third of the stores had a pharmacy, a percentage now standing at 77%. Publix Pharmacies have ranked number one for customer satisfaction in supermarket pharmacies, for four years in a row by an independent research company.[17] Publix announced in August 2007 that it began offering several types of antibiotics for free to its customers. Customers must have a prescription and are given up to a 14 day supply for free.[18] However, there are concerns in the medical community that this may help contribute to an overuse of antibiotics which leads to antibiotic resistance, a serious public health concern.[19] [edit] The Little ClinicIn early 2006 Publix and The Little Clinic signed an exclusive agreement to open medical clinics within Publix stores. The first clinics were opened in the Atlanta, Miami, Orlando and Tampa markets in the first half of 2006. The Little Clinic health-care centers are staffed by nurse practitioners who can write prescriptions, provide diagnosis and treatment of common ailments and minor injuries, and offer wellness care like physicals, screenings, and vaccinations.[20] [edit] Current projectsIn July 2007 Publix opened a Carrabba's Italian Market at the University Walk Publix in Sarasota, Florida, in conjunction with Carrabba's Italian Grill. This miniaturized version of the restaurant prepares several Carrabba's recipes for carry-out.[21][22] In select markets, Publix is also conducting trials of other various specialties, including a cologne and perfume fragrance department, in conjunction with Camrose Trading.[23] Publix is also experimenting with a gourmet deli at its Lake Mary Collection store in Lake Mary, Florida.[24] [edit] DVD kiosksIn September 2009, Publix reported it started gradually adding Blockbuster DVD rental kiosks to its stores, providing the most current movies at just $1 a piece. The supermarket chain also reporting that most Florida stores will have a kiosk by the beginning of November 2009. By the end of October 2009, a majority of its Polk County, FL stores will have one. All the new stores will also be forecasted to have one depending on size and format of the store. [25] [edit] Publix Pix and Publix LiquorsPublix also currently operates eleven Publix Pix gasoline-convenience stores. Locations are limited during the trial basis of the concept. Also in the works is Publix Liquors, a stand-alone liquor store. The liquor sales will be in a separate entrance on the exterior of the building, as required by local laws. The company is modeling this after many other grocery chains. Currently, all Publix Pix and Publix Liquors locations are adjacent to a Publix Super Market. [edit] CrispersIn 2002, Publix invested in the Lakeland-based restaurant chain Crispers, which concentrates on health-conscious fare. Publix intends to grow the chain. So far there are only 40 locations and only in Florida. [26] [edit] Albertsons Purchase Publix Super Markets bought 49 Florida stores from Albertsons. The deal was announced on June 9, 2008, and was completed on September 9, 2008. It included 15 locations in North Florida, 30 in Central Florida and four in South Florida. The sale allowed Publix to operate four stores in a new market area for the company, Escambia County, Florida. [edit] AwardsPublix has won various local, regional, and national industry and philanthropic awards, among them:
[edit] Charitable ActivitiesPublix regularly conducts charity drives raising money and food for such charities as Special Olympics, March of Dimes, Children's Miracle Network, United Way and various local food banks and soup kitchens such as Our Father's House Soup Kitchen[citation needed]. [edit] ControversyIn 1997, a settlement was reached in a class action lawsuit concerning gender discrimination. Publix paid $81.5 million in damages to its female employees and made policy changes in its workplaces as a result.[36] In 2003, Publix supported a successful bill that prevents people from suing if their land is polluted by dry cleaning chemicals. Publix had in the past lost a lawsuit filed by a nearby property owner whose property had been contaminated in this manner.[37] On October 4, 2005, Publix sued Visa and MasterCard for unfair business practices over their unannounced and non-negotiable raises in merchant account fees.[38] Wal-Mart won a similar lawsuit against Visa in 2004. [edit] Locations
Distribution centers are located in:[6]
Manufacturing facilities are located in:[6]
Publix is broken into 4 divisions: Miami, Lakeland, Jacksonville, and Atlanta. [edit] Tuition ReimbursementsPublix's tuition reimbursement program (TRP)was created to encourage the higher education of its employees. As of June 1, 2006, the program increased its reimbursement limits to a maximum limit of $9000. It began as a program for only traditional degree seeking students, but has become available to those taking individual courses, online programs, technical training, undergraduate and graduate degrees. This program is available to all Publix employees, not just full time. [edit] External links
[edit] References
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