Publix is a chain of supermarkets with its headquarters in Lakeland, Florida.
Its popularity among shoppers in the southeastern United States is increasing for good reasons.
They have happy and helpful employees.
They have the best store brand products.
I certainly think that way.
I have lived in Florida, where this supermarket’s headquarters is, for 20 years.
All these years, Publix has been my choice supermarket.
I love their great selections and mouth-watering deals.
The supermarket has a deep-rooted tradition of Southern hospitality.
Why Is Publix So Popular In Florida?
They render you service with a smile.
In 1930 George W.
Jenkins founded Publix in Winter Haven, Florida.
George W.
Jenkins grew up working in his father’s general store.
His idea was to treat his employees, and customers like his family members.
Even after 88 years of operation, his legacy is still standing.
Why Is Publix So Popular In Florida?
Publix is well known in all the states of America.
For the first time in the survey of best US supermarkets, it was rated equal to Wegmans, in Market Force Information in 2018.
So many people love supermarkets with passion.
I wanted to know why Publix is the choice of many, so I had to visit the supermarket once more, to carefully observe their activities with fresh eyes.
These are the things I found out.
The supermarket has the promise of treating you well or they refund you your money.
In each of their supermarkets, you will see a sign stating the Publix Guarantee.
The supermarket promises never to disappoint you intentionally.
In any case of deserves, you will cheerfully have your money refunded.
They use positive reinforcement to back up their creed.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, if a staff should serve you well, and you got the manager informed, he or she will receive a certificate for a free meal from the store’s deli, as a reward.
The floral department offers fresh blooms and premium services.
When you get to the Publix store you will be greeted by fresh blooms in the floral department.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, you can order fresh-cut flower stems, custom arrangements, and even bridal bouquets.
This is difficult to get in other supermarkets.
At Publix supermarket, you can buy your hydrangea en block.
The bakery caters to kids with free cookies and ‘smash cakes.
You will see many children in Publix bakery coming to collect free cookies.
If you are the party-loving type, the supermarket’s bakery will give you a complimentary seven-inch smash cake.
If the cake is for your baby’s first birthday, the baby can destroy the outside of the cake, yet the main cake will remain untouched.
Their cakes are the most used at birthday parties in the South.
However, I do not like their buttercream frosting.
They produce their slices of bread from the scratch, and they bake new loaves of bread every day.
The people of the South have scratch cooking as a respected tradition.
If you cannot DIY, go to Publix bakery and get the real stuff.
This is where you will get bread that was made from scratch, and baked on the same day.
There are so many other food items that will call for your attention such as bagels and baguettes, challah, and hot dog buns.
Publix subs are an integral part of the modern Southerner’s diet.
If you visit Publix supermarket during lunch hours, you will be surprised by the line of people you will see waiting for their turn to buy sandwiches.
You can make your Pub subs, using Boar’s Head meats and cheeses.
It is among the staple foods in the Southern diets, mostly on the days they go fishing or breaching.
Where is the Oldest Publix Store in Florida?
It was in Winter Haven, Florida that George Jenkins opened the first Publix supermarket on the 6th of September 1930.
Many other businesses have succeeded in Florida, but Publix supermarket remains the state’s favorite.
The story of Publix started with the birth of George W.
Jenkins in 1907.
All of his early life was around the grocery business, being a part of the workforce in his father’s general store.
In 1925 he left for Florida and got a job with Piggly Wiggly store.
This is where he upgraded his knowledge of the grocery industry.
He got rapid promotion in Piggly Wiggly’s.
At a time he was made the store manager.
It was in 1930 that he decided to resign from his appointment to establish himself on his own.
This he did and opened the first Publix store in Winter Haven, Florida.
His business became a success.
Not quite long, he opened the second supermarket in Winter Haven.
As the days passed, he merged both supermarkets into one big one.
He paid a much premium on customer experience and customer perception.
This made him concentrate on creating an appealing, welcoming, and comfortable environment for his customers.
When the supermarket opened for business in 1940, the facility was given high-class finishing touches.
It had terrazzo floors, marble, and polished glass.
He added innovations like air conditioning and fluorescent lighting.
As the supermarket continued growing, Jenkins did not compromise any standards.
This is the reason his business environment is spotlessly clean and well-organized.
FAQs
What does Publix stand for?
Publix supermarket started business in 1930 at Winter Haven, Florida, where George Jenkins founded it.
The supermarket chain prides itself on being employee-owned, and a pleasant place to shop.
The slogan of the supermarket is “Where shopping is a pleasure.” This made it become a public grocery store.
Where is the Largest Publix Store in Florida?
There are 1,305 Publix supermarkets at different locations across the Southeast.
Florida had a share of 836 of these supermarkets in October 2022.
This represents 65.8% of the total number of supermarkets in the Southeast.
What family owns Publix?
Some of the Publix supermarket buildings are built and owned by the Jenkins family.
The supermarket is the biggest employee-owned company in America.
The shareholding of the staff is about 80% while the rest 20% belongs to the Jenkins family members.
