Publix

Publix is a supermarket chain based in Lakeland, Florida, United States. Its slogan is, "Publix, where shopping is a pleasure." It was founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Publix has over 858 locations in five states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. Publix has eight distribution centers, seven of which are in Florida, the eighth being in Georgia. Publix brand manufacturing, which produces dairy, deli, bakery and fresh-food products, is done exclusively in Florida and Georgia, with six manufacturing facilities in all.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Publix is an employee-owned, privately-held corporation. It is the largest employee-owned grocery chain and the fastest-growing employee-owned company in the United States. Its 2004 sales totaled US$18.7 billion. It was ranked #117 on Fortune magazine's Fortune 500 list of U.S. companies in 2005.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Publix's main competitors are Wal-Mart, Kroger, Albertsons, Food Lion, Kash 'n Karry (soon to be renamed Sweetbay), and Winn-Dixie. Publix tries to separate itself from other supermarkets by offering higher quality products and services. For example, Publix baggers will push your shopping cart to your car and there is a strict no tipping policy. Publix also carries previously hard-to-find food items that could only be purchased at health food stores, including organic meats, fruits, and vegetables; vegetarian and vegan products; hypoallergenic foods; and other specialty food items.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Publix also tried to enter the on-line grocery business with Publix Direct, with hopes of serving the Southeast United States. Unfortunately the attempt fell during the dot-com crash with competitor Webvan's well-publicized fall from grace. Publix found that demand for online grocery shopping was not as big as they expected, and shut down Publix Direct on August 23, 2003.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As of 2005, Publix has been listed by Fortune magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" for eight straight years. It is also listed by Fortune as one of "America's Most Admired Companies." It has won various local, regional and national industry and philantrophic awards.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Supermarket: A supermarket is a store that sells a wide variety of food. Most supermarkets also sell a variety of other household products that are consumed regularly, such as alcohol (where permitted), household cleaning products, medicine, clothes, and some sell a much wider range of non-food products. Superm...

Lakeland: Lakeland is the name of some places in the United States of America and one in Australia:...

Florida: Florida is a Southern state in the United States. It is known as the Sunshine State. "Florida" is a Spanish adjective which means "flowery." It was discovered by Spanish explorers during the Easter season, which is called Pascua Florida in Spanish. The U.S. Postal abbreviation is FL....