Special Report Publix

Publix has not been timid about growing its footprint across the seven states in which it currently operates. In December 2022 alone, the largest employee-owned company in the US opened eight new locations in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. The company also announced a fourth Kentucky store in the works. The Bluegrass State represents the grocer’s eighth state of operation, and its first Louisville location is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, the company continues to garner numerous awards and finds itself on multiple ‘best of’ lists covering everything from employee happiness to sustainability as well as customer service. Driven by a mission to be the premier quality food retailer in the world while committed to the wellbeing of its customers, employees and communities, Publix continues to show that despite its near 100-year legacy, it remains at the forefront of innovation and technology, providing the optimal customer experience demanded.

History—George W. Jenkins opened the first Publix Food Store in Winter Haven, FL, in 1930. According to corporate literature, Jenkins had yet to reach age 20 when he set off from Harris, GA to try and build his fortune in Florida real estate. Starting as a stock clerk at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store to then being promoted to manage Piggly Wiggly’s largest store in Winter Haven, Jenkins capitalized on this experience, resigned and opened the first Publix Food Store in 1930.

Through the Depression, Jenkins fine-tuned his vision, working toward this dream store, described as “a ‘food palace’ of marble, glass and stucco, this store included innovations such as air conditioning, fluorescent lighting, electric eye doors and terrazzo floors.”

The expansion of the Publix brand began in earnest in 1945 when Jenkins acquired a warehouse and 19 All American stores from the Lakeland Grocery Company. The prosperity of the 50s made it possible for Publix to close older stores and replace them with modern ones. The company built a 125,000 square-foot warehouse and headquarters in Lakeland in 1951. The first Publix Deli was installed in the 60s and by 1969 there were 150 stores.

The company recorded almost $500 million in sales in 1970. In further efforts to diversify and streamline production, a bakery plant and a product distribution center opened in 1973. The company turned 50 in 1980 and that year introduced check-out scanning statewide, a reflection of the technological innovations of the time. The 80s further saw the introduction of Publix’s Presto! ATM network and the company’s first pharmacy along with several more distribution centers and processing plants across Florida.

Publix did not expand outside of state lines until 1991 when it opened its first store in Savannah, GA. Openings in South Carolina and Alabama followed throughout the 90s.

Founder Jenkins passed away in 1996, but his legacy continued into the new century with Publix opening stores in Tennessee. In the interest of public health, Publix started its free medication program in 2007 and opened its 1,000th store in 2008. In the most recent decade, Publix also expanded into North Carolina and Virginia. In 2022, it announced its intention to begin operating stores in Kentucky, its eighth state.

Leadership—Todd Jones, Sr. is Publix’s CEO and has held that role since January 2019. Jones was previously CEO and President from May 2016 to January 2019 and President from 2008 to May 2016. In total, Jones has more than 18 years as an officer of the company and six years serving on the company board.

Kevin S. Murphy assumed his role as President in January 2019. Murphy began his career with Publix as a front service clerk in 1984, eventually being promoted to store manager in 1995, Jacksonville Division district manager in 2003, Atlanta Division regional manager in 2009, Miami Division VP in 2014 before achieving his current position.

David P. Phillips has served as EVP, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since May 2016. He began his career at Publix in 1984 as an internal auditor, working various financial positions before becoming controller in 1990. Phillips was promoted to VP of finance and treasurer in 1997 and named CFO in 1999.

Laurie Z. Douglas is SVP, Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer. Douglas joined the company in 2006 after serving as SVP and CIO of FedEx Kinko’s Office and Print Center and as VP of information and e-business technology at The Home Depot prior to that.

Accolades—The company made Newsweek’s "Best Customer Service" list in 2022, ranking No. 1 in the supermarket category for the sixth year in a row.

“One of Publix’s founding principles is treating our customers like royalty,” said Director of Communications Maria Brous. “More than 90 years later, we still pride ourselves on providing premier customer service. Being recognized on this list is a testament to our associates’ dedication to serving our customers.”

On the personnel side, Publix has been named one of Fortune's “Best Workplaces in Retail” since at least 2016. In 2022, it was ranked at No. 5 out of the 20 best large retail workplaces. Publix also has held a spot on Fortune’s "100 Best Companies to Work For" list every year since 1998. And it ranked No. 1 on Fortune’s list of "World’s Most Admired Companies" in the food and drugstores industry for the third year in a row.

It remains the largest employee-owned company in the US, and company leadership points to values established by Jenkins as what has helped to cultivate a company culture rooted in respect, a desire to succeed and help others succeed along with premiere customer service.

“Our founder, George Jenkins, said people are the key to Publix’s success,” said Publix CEO Jones. “He explained that if we took care of our associates, they’d take care of our customers. We’ve remained true to this belief since our very first store opened in 1930. Being recognized on this list is a testament to our associates’ dedication and hard work.”

Publix in 2022 also celebrated its third year on People’s Companies that Care list, ranked most recently at No. 28. In compiling the list, People partnered with Great Place to Work to analyze surveys and data from more than 1 million employees on their experiences of how their workplaces have made a difference in their lives and communities. Rankings also reflect Great Place to Work’s assessment of the generosity of each organization’s benefits and its philanthropic and community support, with a particular focus on activities that occurred in the last year.

Building on Jenkins’ advocacy for investing in others and preparing for opportunity, the company promotes from within its existing ranks which has benefitted from robust training and mentoring programs, meaning new associates who start at entry level are able to make a lifelong career with the company, even today.

Several retirement announcements and promotions in the last year showed that many had been with the company for at least 20 years:

• Super Markets Lakeland Division Vice President Sam Pero retired at the end of 2022 after 45 years with the company. He started his career with Publix in 1977 as a part-time front service clerk.

• Subsequently, Marsha Singh was promoted to Pero’s position. Singh started in 1993 as a part-time casher with Publix.

• Vice President of Finance Gino DiGrazia retired at year-end as well. He started with Publix in 1992 as a manager of business analysis and reporting

• Vice President of Benefits Administration and Assistance Secretary Linda Kane retired at the end of 2022. She started her career with Publix in 1994 as a treasury analyst.

• Monica Allman was therefore promoted to Vice President of Benefits Administration. She started with Publix in 2001 as a project manager in benefits administration.

Publix provides the structure to learn and grow, the space to move up and the incentive in the form of company recognition to strive for more. Yearly recognition, including the George W. Jenkins Award and the President’s Award, drive managers at store and district levels to achieve their best, supported by the leadership guidelines set forth by Jenkins from the very beginning.

Under the scope of the greater community, Publix was also recognized by the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation which put the company on its list of 2022 Recycling Champions as Best Overall.

“Publix remains committed to being responsible citizens in our communities, which includes caring for the environment,” said Publix Director of Environmental and Sustainability Programs Michael Hewett. “We continuously examine processes in our stores, warehouses and offices, looking for additional ways to recycle.”

Publix was recognized for its commitment across the company to recycling education, including its plastic bag recycling campaign to educate customers and its internal Green Routine program which encourages associates to make sustainable choices. Through efforts like these, Publix has recycled more than 615 million pounds of cardboard and more than 21 million pounds of soft plastics in 2021.

Outreach—In addition to its nimble charitable donation operation that can quickly harness the generosity of its customers and team members in support of causes including hurricane relief and humanitarian aid in Ukraine, Publix has also continued to aggressively invest in its local communities.

In November, Publix and Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) announced they were extending their commitment to help alleviate hunger in the communities they serve. PSMC donated $5.65 million to 328 food banks and other nonprofit organizations focused on hunger alleviation. It then further donated $3.85 million to 22 Feeding America member food banks for each to purchase and equip a mobile food pantry. Publix and PSMC have pledged a total of $23 million to support hunger alleviation through the end of 2023, including a commitment to provide more than 10 million pounds of produce to stock 20 of the mobile pantries in their first year of operation.

Looking Ahead—Publix is primed to enter its eighth state of operation this year when the first Louisville, KY store is set to open. In all, the company has four Kentucky locations in the works –the fourth was only announced in December 2022 and represents the third in the city of Louisville. Lexington, KY will house the fourth location.

“Publix provides premier customer service, along with a deep commitment to the communities in which we serve,” said Brous. “We are excited for Kentuckians to begin experiencing the Publix difference as we continue to expand our footprint in the Bluegrass State.”

In the area of continued customer care and focus, Publix is tailoring its pharmacy services to the needs of customers while they’re still under hospital care. Publix Pharmacy announced in December it was working with Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, FL, to provide bedside delivery of prescription medications to patients before they’re discharged.

“At Publix Pharmacy, caring for our customers and communities means continuing to look for ways to provide services and convenience for our patients when they need it most,” said Publix Vice President of Pharmacy Dain Rusk. “We are excited to extend bedside delivery of prescription medications to patients of Manatee Memorial Hospital and hope to help with their road to recovery after discharge.”

Bedside delivery is provided free of charge at select hospital locations. The Publix at Palmetto would handle any necessary insurance authorizations, then fill and deliver the order directly to the patient or the nursing unit. Patients can make payments upon delivery and obtain future refills from any Publix Pharmacy.

“Our goal in our collaboration with Publix Pharmacy is to provide our patients with the medications they need to keep them healthy before they leave the building,” said Manatee Memorial Hospital Director of Pharmacy James Wengerd. “Patients will leave our hospital knowing what medications to take and how much they cost.”