NBC in Central Florida filming why Publix Supermarkets is doing so well in the recession.

[madfloridian]

Publix is adding jobs and new stores as others are laying off more and shutting down stores. This is a good idea...investigate the businesses that planned and did things the right way with responsibility.

NBC News In Lakeland Filming Publix Segment

LAKELAND | A crew from NBC Nightly News was in Lakeland yesterday to film a segment about how Publix Super Markets Inc. is weathering the recession.

Spokeswoman Shannon Patten said she took the NBC reporter and camera crew to the Publix store on U.S. 98 in Highland City and the company's dairy manfacturing plant to film employees working.

The segment, which is scheduled to air next week, discusses the supermarket industry's resilience during the current downturn, Patten said. She said the NBC team noted that Publix is continuing to add stores and jobs at a time when many other companies are shutting down or laying off workers.

Actually it is not hard to figure out why they are doing so well in bad times. Take a look at their CEO figures.


Graphic from Lakeland Ledger April 17,2009.

A Tale of Two CEOs

LAKELAND | When it comes to market share and profits, Publix Super Markets has a healthy lead over its Jacksonville-based competitor, Winn-Dixie Stores.

As for executive pay, the difference isn't even close. Total compensation for Winn-Dixie Chief Executive Peter Lynch came to $2.9 million last year, more than triple the amount brought in by Publix chief Ed Crenshaw, who made roughly $800,000, according to figures in a recent New York Times story about executive pay trends in 2008.

"You are correct; there is a huge gap in compensation," said Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous in an e-mail to The Ledger.

"Although our financial results are generally superior to the companies in our peer group, our officers' compensation is generally significantly less.

"We believe that compensation should be set at reasonable levels consistent with the company's constant focus on controlling costs in its low margin business," Brous added.

The article also points out that from the beginning Publix has been family owned and operated, and that has made a difference.

[fishnfla]

1. better seafood, better deli ,and better bakery

their bread is kick -ass

ETA: they compete with WAL-Mart by being better too, a better altenative in those 3 depts even though the prices are better at WM. The new publix went upscale as alternative to WM

WM does have better produce though

[Suich]

2. I'd love to see a store like that here.

Instead, we get nice, but over-priced Whole Foods, or good, but small Trader Joe's.

[imdjh]

32. Publix is more expensive, but as others have noted, it's also better

Sweetbay has good house brands and good sales on meat- they generally beat Publix on meat at all times. Publix however, offers a premium "natural" line of certain meats which appeals to the "you can't really live out of the health food store" crowd. Sweetbay's Deli is overpriced and has nothing to recommend it. Publix deli is over priced, but is superior to all other chains in this market.

Publix is consistently more expensive than Walmart, on everything. But I wouldn't buy meat at Walmart, because it's expensive and because the reason it's expensive is that Walmart doesn't want to have union-prone meat cutters in their stores.

Albertsons and Winn Dixie are pretty much toast in this market. Walmart is the bargain store, Publix is the premium store. To be able to shop without dealing with Walmart's staff and clientele is a luxury that will cost you about 10% - 30% depending upon what you buy. Of course, many people shop in both places- Publix for food and Walmart for household supplies. Publix burns you good on household supplies and doesn't have nearly the selection.

[DAMANgoldberg]

43. Yes they are more expensive...

However, they are in the "neighborhood" for most items. Their discounted items are usually quite good and you don't need a loyalty card for them! The store brand is really just as good as national brands, better produce, meat, seafood, bakery/deli, customer service, everything.

The gripes I have with them is that they are not 24/7 and not currently in the Charlotte area (closest Columbia and Spartanburg SC).

I have trucked across the 48, and have delivered to many grocery warehouses (Kroger, Food Lion, Winn-Dixie, Giant, Shaw, Albertsons, Aldi, Safeway, Publix, Wal-Mart, Target, SuperValu, Meijer, Wegmans)... Of those, Publix was clearly #1 with Wegman's a very close #2.

[imdjh]

51. I have mixed emotions on store hours

I realize that if you are going to have your store lit up and cooled down so that stockers can work over night, then you might as well pay a cashier and an assistant manager who is also a cashier to keep the doors open and have the draw of being 24 hours. As a rule though, outside of critical care I suspect 24 hour business to be counter to a productive society; I consider the graveyard shift to be unhealthy.

On the other hand, I also remember when stores were closed after 8PM (6PM in some places) and all day Sunday and it was a pain. I have never understood why businesses which cater to people who work are only open during the hours in which most people are working. That includes doctors and dentists.

[bertman]

54. imdjh, you may consider the graveyard shift unhealthy, but you're not taking into account

the percentage of humans whose natural cycle runs counter to the "normal" daylight hours work shifts. There are many of us whose natural rhythm is that of night owls. During the one period of my adult life when I was unemployed for a significant period of time but had sufficient savings to live comfortably, my day began late morning to noon, sometimes even in the afternoon. I loved the night time and hardly ever went to bed before daylight.

The only thing that interrupted my rhythm was the schedule of my friends and family, who were on the "normal" schedule. And perhaps the occasional fishing trip where I stayed awake through the following morning so I could be on the water at daybreak.

As far as your last paragraph, you are right that it's strange that businesses are open when most people are working; however, I think a lot of that is a holdover from the days when the men worked and the women were housewives who did all the shopping, etc. The change in those hours has arisen from the two-working-spouse household.

Also, it's much easier for a small business to accomodate normal 8-5 hours than extended hours and weekends.

[imdjh]

56. I've never researched it.

I question the idea of night owl being a natural cycle on its face. Human being are not nocturnal animals. We can adapt, but that doesn't make it natural. In general, I have found that people who consider themselves to be night owls (independent of a work requirement) are simply off cycle. It's easy to do. As you noted, when unemployed people off get off schedule; this is why nearly all the professional advice to unemployed people is to maintain or return to a normal daylight schedule.

By the same token, I think that "normal schedules" such as Civil Service and the military, which actually require a person to rise before civil-twilight are unhealthy and should only be done if necessary. In truth, some of these schedules have nothing to do with work productivity, and everything to do with something as useless as golf. Bosses who drive to work in the dark so that they can be on the golf course at 3pm demonstrate a nonprofessional sense of priorities.

[rurallib]

3. Wasn't Publix on the ropes a few years back?

I'm from Iowa and had done some work in the South. I remember on big chain on the ropes a few years back, don't I?

[madfloridian]

5. Not sure. I know others were.

Kash and Karry was sold, wasn't it? Has a new name I think.

Some Winn Dixies have shut down here.

[Dr.Phool]

39. Kash&Karry changed to Sweetbay.

Same company, different name.

[madfloridian]

40. I knew that.

Slipped my mind. Happens a lot lately. :evilgrin:

[seafan]

10. Here were a few things....

Publix Super Markets settles bias cases for $85 mil.(discrimination cases), June 16, 1997

The Publix Super Markets chain will pay $85 million to settle a discrimination suit that charged the grocery chain with keeping Blacks and women in low-paying jobs.

U.S. District Judge Henry Lee Adams approved the settlement calling it a "fair and reasonable compromise," even though critics said the award was too small.

The settlement covered workers at 535 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.

Attorneys said some 160,000 current and former female employees were victims of corporate bias.

.....

Special interests (including Publix) behind push for Amendment 3 to make it difficult for citizens to amend the state constitution, October 15, 2006


A bit of electioneering, perhaps, October 1, 2008


Publix Grocery Stores Charged With Discriminating Against Women Employees, July 19, 1995


Publix Sued Over Benzene In Soda, November 17, 2006

[Dappleganger]

29. You're probably thinking of Winn-Dixie...

and they are still having difficulties.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

44. That Was Winn-Dixie

I have been in FL since 1970 and Publix has "never been on the ropes".

[ixion]

4. publix is impressive

they have a great selection of organic products, and they're marked throughout the store. Prices are reasonable, and the store is well-laid out. Second and earlier post: Great seafood, great deli.

[SoCalDem]

6. Lynch needs the extra money for the snacks, apparently

:spank:

[Obamanaut]

7. We have three choices for groceries in our small town - Publix,

Winn Dixie, and WalMart. We go to Publix for everything but black walnut ice cream for Miz O, and Winn Dixie is the only one who has that.

[RagAss]

8. Publix is one of the very best things about living in Florida.

Winn Dixie is a Big Fail !

[madfloridian]

17. When I want to make soup, stew, or a roast....we go to Winn Dixie.

Otherwise we shop Publix. The meat for soups or stews are just better from Winn Dixie, more flavor. Publix steaks are usually fine.

[KG]

9. W-D is the pits. but I guess they fill a niche, albiet a dreary one.

[MidwestTransplant]

11. Does Lynch's compensation include the free food it appears he induldges in?

[Patsy Stone]

12. Love me some Publix

and Winn-Dixie has always given me the creeps.

[madfloridian]

25. I ran across the website, blog. Called Publix4Pennies.

http://publix4pennies.com/about/

"About P4P

Publix 4 Pennies is personal project of long-time Publix fans, Jason & Amy. We grew up in FL shopping at Publix with our families and Jason even had his first job there as a bag boy. Our goal with this site is to provide a comprehensive resource for coupon users and deal hunters who, like us, love shopping at Publix and love saving money! We are in no way affiliated with Publix Supermarkets or any of the resources we might discuss here. We hope that the work we put into this site will help you and your family to save money and time, eat healthy and be happy amidst a struggling economy.
Behind the Scenes

Jason and Amy

P4P by Jason & Amy B
Amy is the brains behind the operation. She recently started applying her engineering experience and knack for numbers to the practice of deal hunting and couponing. In a few short months, she has gone from being a coupon noob to constantly getting asked by cashiers and shoppers alike for advice on how to do what she does."

They have a weekly deals category. Very interesting.

http://publix4pennies.com/category/weekly/

[csziggy]

13. Publix buys locally, as much Florida produce as they can

There headquarters is located in Lakeland, close to areas that grow lots of various kinds of crops. They also buy as much of their meat and seafood in Florida as possible.

On the down side, Publix donates a lot of money to Republicans, but since that is the main typr of politician coming out of the county where Publix is (Polk County), they may just be doing it for the political clout, though I doubt it.

I grew up 15 miles from where Publix started and that was the store my Mom mostly shopped in from as far back as I can remember. The Winn Dixie was dirty, the A&P had bugs crawling around in the produce but the Publix was always clean with good product and comparable prices.

The other thing, despite a few employee law suites, is that many Publix employees work their for decades. The manager of the Publix I remember shopping at in Bartow with my Mom retired after 40 years with the company. He had started as a bag boy and worked his way up to regional manager. The lawsuits were because women were not given the same opportunities but were stuck as cashiers for their careers - I think that is changing now.

[madfloridian]

14. I often say...

that we grew up knowing the founding families before they were founders. Just average people living in simple homes until Publix. I remember one family lived in a small apartment. He became produce manager and moved up from there. They became wealthy quickly.

That store made millionaires of average people in a hurry. You are right, they are mostly Republican families, many Southern Baptists. Or they were in the beginning. Mostly religious.

[csziggy]

15. Did you grow up in Lakeland? I grew up in Bartow

My Dad's favorite story about the first Publix in Lakeland was that one day he was driving by and a whole group of men jumped off the roof into the street in front of him. They were putting on a roof with liquid tar and it caught fire. It didn't do any damage to the building but it was exciting while it lasted.

[madfloridian]

38. Around those parts.

in early years.

[rucognizant]

66. LAst Spring

I spent a month at my Brothers..and discovered Publix. They had a demo of Bubbaburgers, grass fed cattle grown locally. WHen he heard I was from Maine and Shaw's up here was too expensive for me, he gave me a fistfull of $ off coupons. I discovered the HAnnafords in my town carried them too, & it got me through the entire winter with Bubbaburgers.
Now that they're gone, I stil buy them but have returned to Bison, as it is leaner.
Neither is inexpensive, but I can't stomach regular hambuger, the trick is just to eat less.
I liked Publix!

[flvegan]

16. Publix is just better.

I can't think of a single way they aren't.

And on a personal "why I shop there" note, Publix has been quick to embrace veggie options. I can buy vegan food at Publix that I'd normally only find at Whole Foods.

I'll take "Greenwise" over "the beef people" everyday.

[Marr]

18. Wait a minute-- Winn-Dixie's CEO takes home about 20% of the company's earnings?

Am I reading that right?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

20. it looks like it...

that is incredible...

sP

[DefenseLawyer]

23. Surely some of that is just on paper

Stock options and what not. Otherwise that's pretty crazy. Actually either way it's pretty crazy.

[JustJeking]

19. The best part of moving to FL was Publix

I'm impressed with the store, like their food selection - granted, their prices may not always be the lowest, but they more than make up for it by offering clean stores and happy employees, compared to Wal-Mart.

[ms liberty]

21. I wish we had Publix up here; always had an excellent selection. K&R n/t

[Edweird]

22. Winn Dixie is nasty and Alberstons sucks almost as bad. It's not rocket science.

[tomreedtoon]

53. Winn-Dixie is for ordinary people. Publix is for the rich.

I've been in Florida for decades. I NEVER shop at Publix if I can help it. It's a rich man's store. There are too many boutique brands, too high a price on everything, and I get the sense that ordinary people are not welcome there.

Winn-Dixie, on the other hand, has better meats and seafood, puts stuff on sale regularly, and has food for the working family. So it isn't the Taj Mahal inside the store. So what?

[Dappleganger]

58. We don't find that true at all.

With our family of 6 we just shop the sales flier and use coupons as we would any other place. It is hardly a 'rich man's store'.

[Kermitt Gribble]

70. I don't get that at all.

Publix is a clean, well-lit store with decent prices. I'm barely scraping by finacially, but shop at Publix every week. I buy the Publix brand as much as I can - it's always quality product and reasonably priced.

[madfloridian]

24. Branching out to products used in Hispanic cuisine.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31356017/ns/business-retail/

"After moving to the U.S. 10 years ago, Juana Carabarin still wanted to cook Mexican food for her family but often didn't have time to go to specialty shops for the ingredients.

Now the Publix grocery in Norcross, Ga., near her home carries products used in Mexican cuisine — including corn husks for tamales, chilis in the spice aisle, chorizo and queso fresco in the refrigerator case and some branded items. And she no longer has to make do with stand-ins.

Several major chains are expanding their specialty offerings to capture business from Latinos, the country's fastest-growing population and already almost one-sixth of the U.S. total in 2008. Other retailers are opening new stores that target Hispanic shoppers."

"Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix, which has run a line of Publix Sabor stores for years geared toward Florida's Cuban, Puerto Rican and other Latino shoppers, recently began expanding its Hispanic offerings at its Publix stores in other areas of heavy Latino population."

I did not realize that.

[Malikshah]

26. On top of all that-- they have some of the best commercials.

The elderly couple who, upon seeing a young couple move in next door, cook up a feast to welcome them

Or

The young bride going to her husband's extended family dinner and feeling out of place as she can't make any of the family specialties...in the end she's welcomed by the matriarch who slips a recipe for one of the family favorites in her pocket as she leaves..

There's no way to do these justice-- they're along the lines of the Liberty Mutual pay it forward commercials in quality.\

Listen, if we have to have commercials on TV, at least let them be of this quality.

Not all Publix ads are "Hallmark-like" but around the holidays, they kick it up a notch.

Signed:

Proud owner with my partner of the two Thanksgiving pilgrim salt and pepper shakers....

Floridians will get this....

[TheCentepedeShoes]

50. I loved the pilgrim

commercial, they really had some good ones
I did my small spur of the moment Memorial Day backyard wedding from Publix - cake, flowers, steaks and stuff for the "reception"
We have a great grocery here, United Marketstreet, but I miss the seafood you could get at Publix
No pompano at United

[FLAprogressive]

27. Publix rocks....they are cleaner and have awesome customer service

[Dappleganger]

28. Our son has worked there since he was 14

the only local biz who would employ a tall 14 yr. old boy. We knew the manager well, he assured us our son would be in good hands. Ds is now 16 and is able to work more hours and loves his job. The store manager at the time (he's now been moved up to DM) had a reputation for employing newly-laid off people, the mentally challenged and pretty much anyone who showed up with a smile. College kids most often began in early high school, returning each summer to put in as many hours as possible.

I love this store...when I had neck surgery and chemo, they sent a helper around with me to put things into the cart, put them on a belt and then again into the car. The produce is very decent, the specials are basis of our weekly menus. Publix goes the extra mile in pretty much everything they do and it's a pleasure going there several times a week.

[madfloridian]

30. All but one of our kids worked there growing up.

One even worked there in college in various positions.

[SargeXXX]

31. Correction: Publix is EMPLOYEE owned.. not family owned

I work at Publix Super Markets Corp Headquarters in Lakeland... for the past 6 years.

The reason why the company is doing so well is because of three reasons.

1. We are the largest employee owned company in the country. (socialism works!)

2. We never had a lay-off.

3. EVERY employee gets stock and dividend payments each year. (the stock does VERY well in good times)

Now.. I got my gripes, we have to compete with Wall*Mart, so every year our Health Care gets worse, the Dental plan sucks, and the vacation plan is embarrassing.

As for weathering the economy, I attended the latest Financial report meeting... here is what they told us.

People are eatting out less and cooking more at home. They are buying more Publix generic brand items. Customer service and cleanliness keep the customers coming back. If someone goes to a Winn-Dixie or Wall*Mart and the floors are dirty... they are less apt to shop there again.

Publix is also going GREEN and competing with Whole Foods for organic and natural foods.

We also have the BEST commercials on TV. : )

[imdjh]

33. Publix employees are almost universally superior.

I'm wondering how Publix manages that. Winn Dixie has teenagers, Publix has teenagers. Does Publix have a GPA requirement? Publix kids are professional, properly dressed, and customer focussed. Winn Dixie's kids take cell phone calls at their work stations, answer most questions with "I don't know." , and couldn't make change if the machine didn't tell them how much to give out. When I was a regular at Winn Dixie, I was often treated to the details of various employees' lives, including their plans for the weekend, their feelings about their latest love interest, and exactly how much they hated various other employees, all of which was casually discussed with the bagger or over my head to the next cashier.

[FLDCVADem]

46. Publix works (or did work) very hard on employee training

I grew up in Florida, and Publix was my first (and only) job before joining the military at age 25.

I started in 1979, and though the scanners were in place, they weren't turned on yet, so we rang everything by hand. Part of our training was how to make change - not just read the screen and hand it back, but how to count it back to the customer. It sounds like a simple thing, but you'd be surprised how often we were able to catch mistakes - both in our favor and in the customer's favor - just by counting back the change. "Your bill is $7.52, you gave me $20.00. Change makes 8, 9, 10, 10 is twenty. Thank you for shopping at Publix!".

Sound cheesy? Sure, but it was drilled into us from day one that people can buy groceries anywhere, and probably for less money. Cleanliness and customer service keep them coming back.

Ending my trip down memory lane, when I worked for Publix, one of the slogans (along with "Publix - Where Shopping is a Pleasure") was "No sale is complete until the meal is eaten and enjoyed.

[Dappleganger]

48. Yes, they do.

The manager who trained our son was a stickler for good manners, shirts always tucked in, no cell phone calls when you're on the clock, etc. The one who is there seems to be even MORE strict but they like her nonetheless. Their entire focus is really customer service and it's modeled from the top, down.

[FLDCVADem]

47. One more thing

When I worked there, managers cared about the teen employees. It wasn't company policy, but rather our store manager's policy, to check report cards of the high school employees. Grades go down once you started your job? That merited a sit down discussion about the importance of school, even over work, and whether it might be prudent to cut back hours until balance was reaccomplished.

Just a great company.

[madfloridian]

36. Yes, employee owned, but most CEOs in the founding families' members

There are exceptions, but as a rule the Jenkins and Hollis families, the Barnetts...are leaders.

Yes, you are right it is employeee owned.

From 2008
Crenshaw is Jenkins related.

http://blogs.bnet.com/intercom/?p=1717

"Charles H. Jenkins, Jr., steps down this week after a seven-year run as CEO of Publix Super Markets Inc., the Southeast’s grocery powerhouse with 928 stores in five states. Taking over is Jenkins’ cousin and Publix President William “Ed” Crenshaw.

Based in Lakeland, Fla., and run by a Southern dynasty (two other cousins and a brother-in-law are on the board), Publix defies Spanish moss-covered stereotypes, winning accolades as a progressive employee-owned company, including Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work for 10 years running. Retail consultant Burt Flickinger told the Lakeland Ledger that Jenkins was the “valedictorian” of the current crop of grocery CEOs. “He was a great innovator and a great marketer. And a very tough competitor.”

Jenkins, 64, a nephew of Publix founder George W. Jenkins, replaced his cousin Howard as CEO in 2001. Under his direction, the chain grew from 655 stores to 928. Crenshaw, 57, married George Jenkins’ daughter and began as a stock clerk in Lake Wales in 1974. He made his mark as the architect of Publix’ first out-of-state launch into Atlanta, where the chain is now third behind Kroger and Wal-Mart."

[madfloridian]

37. Crenshaw is a Jenkins' cousin.

The former president Mark Hollis, started working there at age 12 without pay. I think his dad, Bill, was VP...have to look it up.

Great Southern Baptist family. Dad Bill Hollis came from humble Georgia background. Now their names are on buildings all over Florida Southern College.

Fascinating article about Mark

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1347&dat=19860929&id=TeESAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dPsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2965,5905567

[WinstonSmith4740]

67. I was wondering about some of the stuff you mentioned.

I live outside of Las Vegas, so Publix isn't around here. As I was reading the original article I was thinking "I bet they also treat their employees fairly." When companies understand that their biggest asset is their employees and treat them like human beings instead of just another company possession, those employees can make all the difference in the world.

[nytemare]

34. I worked for Winn Dixie for about a week in high school, then Publix

Winn Dixie kept me past 1130 on school nights. I worked at Publix for a couple of years after that. They treat their employees well, their stores are clean and organized, and I think it is because they don't treat their people like crap. It's sort of like the difference between Walmart and Target.

[bluevoter4life]

35. I work at Publix in Jacksonville

As Sarge mentioned, we are employee owned, so we don't need to bow down to outside corporate interests and public stockholders. The article mentioned that Crenshaw made 800k last year. Just remember that is his base salary. That doesn't include the annual dividend that is issued every spring. He has several hundred thousand, if not millions of shares so that adds a significant amount to his compensation. But Publix has a very sound business model. Low CEO salaries, zero or very little debt, and privately owned. They give benefits to ALL employees after you have worked for them for so long, and they are a very stable company in a virtually recession proof industry. Though the wages for hourly workers isn't great (barely livable but there are worst places), they pay their managers VERY well, with store managers making on average around 120k/yr (thats the low end too). So while I may not enjoy my job too much, I take pride knowing a) I have one in this economy B) Not too many companies offer the benefits I get and C) I can retire with my full 401k and company issued stock after only 3 years.

[Dr.Phool]

41. Lynch siphons off almost 25% of the company's earnings?

I hate Winn-Dixie.

Lousy meat.

Lousy produce.

I can walk to Winn-Dixie from my house. But, I'll drive another mile, past Publix, to get to Sweetbay!

[givemebackmycountry]

42. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.

You know how they say "all politics are local"?
All grocery stores apply here as well.

The Publix that is down the road from me sucks.
Lousy produce section, virtually no on staff butcher, small fresh fish selection (Hello, I'm in Florida), and way too busy Deli.
Traffic is a obstacle should I choose to go elsewhere.
Often I do.

I'd kill for an hour in the Price Chopper in Kansas City.
I could stock up on beef and pork and Chile Peppers for months.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

45. There's Like A Million Publixes In Greater Orlando

There are four withing three miles of me.

[Serge A Storms]

49. I grew up shopping Publix in the '50s

For most of my life grocery shopping =Publix

Now Sweetbay is our prime , more "healthy foods" better prices

lets see we like publix ham , pizza dough and buy one get one sales otherwise we shop at Sweetbay

its no longer "mr jenkins" store

[Roland99]

52. I still miss Kroger. Publix (and esp. Albertson's) are more expensive on food items.

[NC_Nurse]

55. My autistic brother works for Publix and has for 10 years+. They employ many

disabled people. They have given him stock in the company too. He has accumulated quite a bit for a part-time employee. He is also able to get health insurance and just started a 401k there. They are awesome.

[Moondog]

57. This is very true. Many of the baggers and "cart rustlers" at the Publix

markets in my area have various challenges. As far as I can tell, Publix treats them very well, and with respect. Some of them are a little slower than others, and what seems to happen is that Publix simply makes sure they have enough people working at any give time that it evens out. There are also a number of retirees working there, picking up a few extra bucks to make ends meet.

Publix was a "socially responsible employer" long before the term was invented. And they still are.

[bushmeister0]

59. I worked at Winn/Dixie back in 86.

The first thing the store manager asked me in my job interview was: "You're not one of those union types are you? We don't go for unions here, boy."

Real big time rednecks. One of the junior managers at my store used to go out with his boys in a big pick-up truck with spotlights on the rollbar "coon hunting," whatever that meant. He eventually became a store manager in Sunrise and I used to get applicants from his store all the time saying they wanted to leave WD because their boss was an asshole.

One woman I worked with years later was a night manager at a WD who was robbed at gunpoint while counting the cash. She was understandibly freaked out and wanted to take a few days off. They told her to be back the next night or not to bother coming back.

Real shitheads.

Two things I miss about Florida: My Dolphins' season tickets and Publix subs. Mmmm.

[ChiciB1]

60. Publix Has Been Around In Florida Forever!! I Have Family That Have

worked for them for YEARS and have always been happy.

And Publix started the "buy one get one free" sales even BEFORE the s--t hit the fan!!! Great buys on name brands and I ALWAYS check out those deals!

My Publix is 2 minutes away and for that I'm thankful! LOVE the CEO comparison too!!

[FLAprogressive]

61. the Nokomis Village Publix or the Palmer Ranch one?

[ChiciB1]

62. Nokomis... I Can Ride My Bike! How Bought You??? I Think I Know! n/t

[FLAprogressive]

64. Nokomis for me as well :)

[ChiciB1]

65. Off Of Laurel... I Think I Remember Now!!! n/t

[FLAprogressive]

68. yup...the nokomis Publix is great. although a bit small compared to other stores around the area

that's my only gripe about the Nokomis Publix....there's a little bit less selection compared to the other Publixes around the area. however it is still clean and the service is excellent.

[ChiciB1]

63. No I Don't Know... n/t

[OmahaBlueDog]

69. Publix stores are radiantly clean, have delis that are better than a Sub shop

..and have an excellent selection.

Something else...they promote from within. Managers I've met started as bag boys or stockers. From what I'm told, the typical Publix store manager makes about $100K; a CEO making $800K would be right in line with the 5-10x structure most European companies use.

What I don't get is why Crenshaw doesn't apply for Lynch's job? :evilgrin: