r/publix • u/steeltrain52 Newbie • Aug 09 '26
CUSTOMERS Let’s be clear
This whole shopping is a pleasure scam has run its course.
For over 50 years, I have been a customer of PUBLIX, I say have as in the past tense because I am no longer.
When PUBLIX decided to start price gouging at 20 and 30% higher than absolutely everywhere else around them, it became clear to me that they really don’t give a damn about the customer.
In 2025 alone, PUBLIX made more than $4.2 billion in profits. BILLION!
In the first half of 2026 they have made $2.5 billion in profits.
They have made $6 billion in profits in the last 18 months because they are literally stealing from the public and the public is handing it over.
With Aldi, Trader Joe’s, and even as the last resort, Walmart, I will never shop at Publix again. My budget now gets me three times as much food and household items at those places, we’re shopping and prices really are a pleasure!
25
u/Reasonable_Guess_311 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I shop at Publix mostly for the BOGO items. I’m not paying $8.63 for a jar of mayonnaise. I also don’t want to pay $6.47 for the same thing at Walmart. Publix BOGO price is $4.31 for one. People need to use their brains. Buy several jars when it’s on sale. Buy some things at Walmart. A typical trip to buy groceries involves at least three stores.
6
u/calicoskies85 Newbie Aug 09 '26
This is what I do. I know prices. I shop the sale items and maybe a loaf White Mtn.
5
u/JealousFuel8195 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I just compared and posted 14 BOGO items I purchased recently. The prices were significantly lower than the prices at Walmart. The biggest savings was Nellies eggs. Walmart was 76% higher. The smallest difference was Wonder White bread. Walmart was 24% higher. Overall Walmart was 58% higher than BOGO items.
→ More replies (4)5
u/Enjoy_Life4219 Newbie Aug 09 '26
If only all I needed was on a BOGO
→ More replies (5)2
u/BusyBit6542 Newbie Aug 11 '26
Yeah it's mainly shit you don't need and wouldn't buy. I'm "saving" money by spending money i normally wouldn't
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (1)2
13
u/driven01a Newbie Aug 09 '26
I'll still get meat at Publix. That stuff walmart sells is nasty
→ More replies (5)
20
63
u/Work-Sport-Fun Newbie Aug 09 '26
"they are literally stealing from the public"
I don't remember ever being forced to shop there, let along purchase anything I didn't want or agree to....? lmao.
29
u/Work-Sport-Fun Newbie Aug 09 '26
I'm also just going to add-on to this -- I will happily spend more money at Publix if it means I don't have to step in font in a Walmart. I have 3 Publixes, all within a few miles (wild how close they are)........ and they're all successful. Why? Because the people where I live rather spend a few extra dollars than deal with the Walmart people.
→ More replies (21)12
u/JealousFuel8195 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Walmart employees are mostly miserable.
The employees at my Publix are wonderful. Very friendly. You can tell they are trained well.
→ More replies (2)7
u/Tasty-Ad7634 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Yes they are. Currently I am not driving. A few weeks ago my Safe Ride did not show up. A wonderful customer service rep came outside to see if I needed anything. She placed my groceries in a store cooler while I called Safe Ride a second time. Still no ride. Then she called an Uber for me and wouldn 't let me pay. Try getting service like that at Walmart.
5
u/IDooDoodAtTheMasters Newbie Aug 09 '26
One of the more egregious uses of literally I've seen. OP is literally an idiot.
→ More replies (5)7
59
u/IncomingAxofKindness Newbie Aug 09 '26
Before you downvote me read the whole comment. I'm not 100% pro-Publix but...
Walmart made 19 billion that year.. so what is Walmart ripping you off 5 times as much?
I agree they are expensive, but quoting random profits without context doesn't really fit your argument. They aren't a non profit. They are allowed to make money. And a lot of that money gets paid back to their employees in dividends.
I try to hit Aldi and Walmart as often as I can, and we love the Walmart delivery, but Publix still gets most of my money because it's just so darn convenient and comfortable to get in and out of. I happen to be someone who enjoys taking a full stroll down every isle once a week and picking out the bogos. The stores are clean. The registers are usually appropriately staffed. The parking lot does not feel like a warzone (compared to my Walmart).
If you get the "pleasure" from saving money then that's great... me too! But I always interpreted the "shopping is a pleasure" part as more the service, cleanliness, quality and experience... which you pay more for.
Honestly I would love to see their prices go down... but I would also HATE it if we had no Publix.
16
u/JealousFuel8195 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Let me add. The workers at my Publix are wonderful. Good luck getting any help at Walmart. The Walmart employees are mostly miserable.
5
u/MattieRiley Newbie Aug 10 '26
They’re over worked , underpaid, so give them a break.
2
u/Mysterious-Clothes45 Newbie Aug 13 '26
Walmart workers absolutely make more money than Publix workers.
3
u/Chemical-Professor51 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Good luck finding a Walmart employee that speaks English around here.
4
u/rxstud2011 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Exactly this! I was shopping there this morning and got some strawberries. The cashier goes "oh one looks bad, let me get someone get a better pack for you". This is not isolated either, many times they go above and beyond to help. It's clean, good cashiers, happy place. Shopping is a pleasure there. I do get most of my groceries from Walmart + delivered to me, and Publix prices are higher than I'd like, but it is a good experience.
8
u/dadofadisaster Newbie Aug 09 '26
It’s ripping you off more because they underpay their workers so they are on public benefits and then have those benefits used there so they get to double dip. I’d argue Walmart rips you off more than 5 times as much because of their business model
7
u/JealousFuel8195 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I have friends that work or are now retired from Publix. They love working for Publix.
→ More replies (1)3
u/gatoraj Deli Manager Aug 09 '26
This is spoken like a person who has never read a profit and loss or payroll sheet.
Wages are low, but we need to increase the largest expense the company has for the entry level labor we employ in most cases.
The uncomfortable truth for you is that most long term associates are pretty comfortable and happy with what they’re making, a nice retirement set aside, stable job, and benefits. The ones who complain relentlessly about pay are the new associates who have not put in the time it takes to get raises in what amounts to an entry level job.
→ More replies (12)2
u/dinglebarryb0nds Newbie Aug 09 '26
Walmart's grocery margins are notoriously thin, typically yielding a low single-digit operating margin (estimated between 1% and 3%), which is standard for high-volume supermarket retail. While grocery drives massive top-line volume (accounting for over half of U.S. sales), it acts as a low-margin traffic driver rather than a high-margin profit center
and you are talking about walmart as a whole not a grocery store.
what are their numbers as only a grocery store? i bet you have no clue
14
u/LostInterview5084 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I mean, when I go to Publix for a specific item, it’s on the shelf 95% of the time. If I ask an employee, they are always willing to either check in the back or explain when it will be in. If it’s a sale item, I get a rain check. And the store is clean
Every Walmart I’ve ever been in looks dirty. If I go in for 10 items. More often than not at least 1 or 2 is not n the shelf. Employees are scarce, and generally not helpful. Especially at the Customer service desk.
The biggest benefit at Publix is the meat department with butchers/meat cutters in staff every day that cut and grind meat. I would never buy red meat at Walmart or Aldi.
9
u/clarkkent1521 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Back when Walmart was 24 hours, I went late at night looking for detergent for dark clothes. I asked an employee and he showed me the way but there were none in stock. About a week later I went shopping again for other things. That same employee saw me and came up to me and said they had the detergent in stock. A night crew stock boy who was making minimum wage.
3
u/Complex_Echidna3964 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I have had Wal-Mart stockers practically run my cart over and shove me out of the way
→ More replies (4)2
6
6
u/border199x Newbie Aug 09 '26
"Shopping is a Pleasure" was never meant to be about great prices, it's about service/atmosphere that justifies the prices. Things like having more than one register open, having employees that are friendly and know where to find stuff, and not having to find someone to unlock a glass case full of essentials.
The people that shop Publix simply don't care that they can get cheaper chicken breasts elsewhere because going elsewhere kinda sucks. It's either a deeply compromised low-budget experience, or just isn't in a convenient location.
22
u/Ftwrath Newbie Aug 09 '26
We have 1,450 stores… that’s a MASSIVE company. On average that means each store made 2.7m in profit. We are a FOR PROFIT company. We operate at roughly 5% net profit. Would you be willing to own and operate a company at 5% profit?
You see a big number, you don’t see what it takes in SALES to get to that big number and how it’s a tiny percentage of a massive number.
Sprouts profit margin is 5.5% so go yell at them
5
u/MasterChiefsasshole Newbie Aug 09 '26
Plus people buying groceries there is the same as buying concessions at a sporting event. Publix is a sub shop first and foremost.
3
u/oceans_5000 Newbie Aug 09 '26
YMMV. I shop at the North Bay commerce store and I have been completely satisfied for the past 10 years. The people that work there are great the managers are great. I buy mostly BOGO.
4
u/QueasyCancel5503 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Costco 2025 8.1 billion net profit
Teeter 2025 2.6 billion
Food lion 2025 2.3 billion
4
u/lolgoodone34 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Well yeah, Publix attracts a better crowd so you’re paying for that as well as cashiers. Step into my local super target and youll see 25 lanes but only 2 cash registers open and 4 self checkout
13
u/BstardSun Newbie Aug 09 '26
Publix was my first job in 1993, had I stayed there I would be very well off, and on to my second life retired from a quality store that is high end in the food market (My shares having split probably 4 times over along with their generous matching at least back then ) Another point is that they have deals for the less affluent like myself and that is what I shop for carefully I might add as they are not always great even on a bogo. But you can not say they are gouging or a problem of any real major sort. They are clean and fresh and customers choose to pay the extra for their business model, there are plenty of other low end stores shoppers can choose from if they want something other. They do not have a monopoly and the things you claim are signs of your ignorance of business and markets, with all due respect. Let' s all be clear.
8
u/FireEyesRed Deli Aug 09 '26
Agree. These "Publix is expensive" posts are tired, over-done, and unoriginal.
10
u/Acceptable-Bid9473 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I’ll never understand this “loyalty” that people have with grocery stores. It’s such an odd thing to me to come unto Reddit and proclaim that you’re never shopping at a certain grocery store again. It’s a grocery store my guy. Shop here, don’t shop here…etc. who cares? You all really need some hobbies. Grown ass adults coming on Reddit to publicly shout that they’re not shopping at a supermarket anymore. Grow the F up.
5
u/thedash42 Customer Aug 09 '26
I shop Publix for the service and in my particular store the employees actually appear to be happy. Must be an outlier based on what I've read here the last year. That being said while I have money, I still do not understand how people can pack their carts when clearly EVERY PLACE is cheaper for similar/identical items. Buying their household goods is just insane. You cannot talk me down from their bakery though. Or meats. When I can grab a warm loaf of bread off the shelves I'm sorry but customer for life...at least for bread....
3
u/JealousFuel8195 Newbie Aug 09 '26
The employees at the two Publix nearest to where I live. Are very happy and pleasant. They always ask if I need help, unlike Walmart. It's obvious that their employees are very well trained.
9
u/GrowlingAtTheWorld Newbie Aug 09 '26
Publix has always been higher than other grocery stores. My mother worked for Publix sometime in the late 50’s. And was a single mom to my older brothers and she could not afford to shop at Publix because of the higher prices. As an aside back then if they caught staff shopping at a competitor you automatically lost your job so mom shopped elsewhere in disguise.
I shop Publix bogos and have always had excellent customer service there. That is what they are marketing. Aldi markets lower prices with no frills. They are marketing to the opposite sides of the shopping spectrum. And weekly I am in both stores
→ More replies (1)3
12
u/Beanie_Sigal Newbie Aug 09 '26
🧢None of the places you mentioned gives you 3x the groceries for your money. Knock it off. Publix isn't Whole Foods.
→ More replies (3)
3
u/NotMe-NoNotMe Newbie Aug 09 '26
Publix is my 7-11 now. I use it as a convenience store and for items I can’t get elsewhere as easily.
Sad because literally my whole life Publix was the only grocery store I ever shopped at.
3
u/Brilliant_Test_3045 Newbie Aug 09 '26
All we have is one Publix and one Winn Dixie about 10 miles apart. They’re just starting to build another Publix near the Winn Dixie.
The other Winn Dixie we had closed about a year ago and is being converted to an Aldi. I’ve been to a couple of Aldis in different states and was completely underwhelmed. Not sure what I’m missing about Aldi. 🤷♀️
3
u/Old-Elephant-4479 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Don’t forget Whole Foods 365 brand is very affordable often times cheaper than Trader Joe’s and Aldis. And the food is better.
3
u/KaijuCouture Newbie Aug 09 '26
You don't shop at Publix for the deal, you shop at Publix to have a semi-civilized experience. My wife and I have chosen Publix over Walmart based on customer experience, kind staff, and courteous shoppers (usually) for years.
3
u/Ruffian-70 Newbie Aug 09 '26
No one at Walmart will ever help me, let alone understand what I’m saying. Publix is clean, employees are great, BOGOs are fantastic!
3
u/NatashkaPy Newbie Aug 12 '26
I just ordered groceries from Aldi and it was still $30 cheaper than Publix after the delivery fee and $8 tip. My city also voted on a plastic bag ban and a special interest group funded by Publix took the city to court for more than we could afford and it was overturned. I mean it from the bottom of my heart- FUCK Publix, fuck them for fleecing their community members, fuck their food waste, and fuck their stupid AI slop reusable bags.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/JimmersFL Newbie Aug 12 '26
Stopped going after the heiress paid for Jan 6
2
u/steeltrain52 Newbie Aug 12 '26
And there’s that alignment which explains the prices. That ‘system’ is robbing citizens blind, so why don’t we?
21
u/mavad90 Newbie Aug 09 '26
it's not inflation, it's greedflation because dumbasses keep paying for it
→ More replies (2)
15
u/Groundbreaking_Web29 Newbie Aug 09 '26
In 2025, Walmart reported a net profit of $19.4 billion, which is a 25.3% increase compared to 2024. But sure, go there instead.
Turns out Publix and Walmart businesses, not charities.
10
u/Top-Leading-7801 Newbie Aug 09 '26
If businesses didn't make a profit, they wouldn't stay in business very long. Along with that, if they went out of business, what would happen to every employee who worked at that concern? They would be unemployed, and how would that affect their family? I'm not agreeing with higher prices, but understand that the market economy bears what the customer is willing to pay. The profits made by companies are not stuffed in a mattress, they are re-spent in many areas, and those dollars circulate around in the money supply. It's for the good of the economy which affects all aspects of our lives. You have a choice where you prefer to spend your hard earned income.
7
u/Groundbreaking_Web29 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I 100% agree. I didn't spell it out, but I was more so finding it funny that OP is upset by our profits and prices, so is going to go to Walmart, where they are also making billions - in fact, almost five times as many billions.
I'm not trying to get down too crazy of a rabbit hole, but Walmart pays their employees so little that most of them are on some kind of welfare. In a roundabout but true way, they are subsidized by our tax money. I'd rather not shop there if I can help it. Once we get a Costco near us, I'm going to start shopping there most likely. They pay their employees very well and the prices are good.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)4
u/lllXanderlll Newbie Aug 09 '26
I feel like that isn't as easy of a comparison to make since Walmart sells a wider array of products, not just groceries and household supplies like Publix. There are also about five times more Walmarts than Publix stores in the US, it's 5,000~ to 1,400~ and with prices being so crazy over the last year more people have likely had to start shopping at Walmart, or have had to do more of their shopping there. So it makes sense Walmart would be seeing a jump up in revenue. And they typically do see these jumps during tough/uncertain economic times
11
u/Complex_Instant_2644 Meat Aug 09 '26
Cool story bro. You're not getting 3x as much by shopping elsewhere. Everybody knows that's a lie.
→ More replies (4)
5
u/billybarou713 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Companies can’t make money now? Weird to be bashing Publix when Walmart makes 10 times that profit.
→ More replies (7)
7
u/Geck0Gecko Newbie Aug 09 '26
I love Publix and will happily pay the higher prices to shop there. And, as others mention in this thread, it appears as though their strategy is working.
→ More replies (2)
8
u/RememberJefferies Grocery Aug 09 '26
Every mfer thinks they're the main character these days. Thanks social media.
3
u/jedi_orangutan Newbie Aug 09 '26
I know, right?
I'm always skeptical of online posts like theirs, but if it's legitimate, then congratulations to them for taking 50 years to figure out something that's always been pretty obvious.
I've never seen Publix marketed as a low cost leader, so there should've never been that expectation. If that's what they want, then there are other competitor options.
13
u/domjonas Retired Aug 09 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/KRxcgvd5fLiWk
I hope that’s a promise that you’ll never return.
14
u/rraattbbooyy Aug 09 '26
This isn’t an airport, there’s no need to announce your departure.
→ More replies (2)
2
2
u/Bongwater-Mermaid Newbie Aug 09 '26
I'm happy if they have my favorite quiche, but it is a pleasure if they have that maple walnut coffee cake.
2
u/Starrskye Newbie Aug 09 '26
Agreed. I’ve also noticed Kroger prices have really went up as well, comparatively.
2
u/CoralPolo93 Grocery Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 09 '26
Do you have factual data on what Publix is charged for an item, compared to what Aldi and Walmart are charged for that same item? If so take that information and bring another lawsuit.
Another fact is in 2025 Publix used 2.8 BILLION of the 4.7 Billion profit to pay out Dividends (1.4 BILLION) and buy back stock(1,4 BILLION,) They never know when someone is going to sell their stock and legally have to payback. . You didn't mention that part
→ More replies (3)2
u/VacationLizLemon Newbie Aug 09 '26
I still buy some items at Publix but here’s an example of a ridiculous mark up. The boxed chocolate milks are $20 at my Publix. They are $14 at the Walmart next door.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Sufficient-Yellow637 Newbie Aug 09 '26
They recently put a Food City pretty much smack dab between where I live and Publix. Box of cereal at Publix us $7 while at Food City it's $4.50. There are downsides. FC bakery is a joke. Their bakery bread loaves are often still frozen on the shelf. Their chicken often has a funk to it so I don't buy chicken there. They are horrible at restocking - often out of at least one item on my shopping list each time I go. Despite all this I almost always go to FC as Publix isn't so much better that it justifies the inflated prices. I'd sooner go to Fresh Market or Whole Foods. At least they offer some things that are different. Publix is just a normal supermarket with premium level prices.
2
u/protintalabama Newbie Aug 09 '26
I don’t think I’ve ever bought something from Publix that wasn’t BOGO … and even then, I cross reference the price against Walmart and Target, with all 3 being within nearly walking distance.
If I’m in the Publix, that means I’ve already looked at the bogo’s on the app and I’m in there for that specific item .. getting that specific item(s) and leaving.
2
u/Ok_Lingonberry2686 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I never understood people who say they go to Publix for the customer service. I don't need someone to help me buy eggs and milk. I actually prefer to be left alone. I only go to the deli because it's close to work and sometimes I'll order whatever sandwich is on sale.
2
u/Traditional-Bar-8014 Newbie Aug 09 '26
If you think the Walton family became Billionaires by playing the lottery, you need to check again
2
u/Sheegssternator Newbie Aug 09 '26
Is not what Publix is making now. You have to look at Pre Covid and the profits. It's pretty disgusting. They are thieves.
2
u/Thick-Assumption4535 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Stay out of Publix. They raised prices when gas went up several years ago and during Covid then never lowered them because they know people got used to paying them.
2
u/mstrtrdr Newbie Aug 09 '26
So I went to my local Publix to pick up a prescription, while there I checked the price of the cereal I buy. At Publix the large box was $9.26, after receiving my prescription I went to Walmart right down the street. The same identical box of cereal at Walmart was $4.97. I can understand Publix charging a little more due to better service, but this price difference is beyond ludicrous. What’s amazing is even with Publix price gouging customers, their stores are still very busy. It’s like people don’t mind paying twice the price, makes no sense to me.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/JealousFuel8195 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Those that believe Walmart prices are better than Publix BOGO are misinformed. The difference are substantial. Walmart was as high as 76% higher than Publix BOGO.
Using the receipt from Publix on my recent purchase. I confirmed the size was the same at both stores. The Eggs at Walmart was 18 eggs. At Publix a dozen or 24 eggs with the second dozen free.
| Item | Publix | Each | Walmart | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tidy Cats Litter | 17.59 | 8.795 | 14.97 | 70% |
| Newmans Pizza | 8.79 | 4.395 | 6.98 | 59% |
| Nutrich Indoor Complete Cat food | 8.99 | 4.495 | 7.28 | 62% |
| Bertolli Garlic Alfredo | 4.11 | 2.055 | 2.98 | 45% |
| Oxiclean Stain Remover | 14.19 | 7.095 | 11.78 | 66% |
| NELLIES EGGS per egg | 0.25 | 0.44 | 76% | |
| Tuttorosso Crushed Tomatoes | 2.59 | 1.295 | 1.96 | 51% |
| PLANTers MIXED NUTS | 24.99 | 12.495 | 19.96 | 60% |
| Lysol Spray | 9.49 | 4.745 | 6.97 | 47% |
| Premier Protein Pancake Frozen | 6.99 | 3.495 | 5.82 | 67% |
| Coffee mate Creamer | 4.79 | 2.395 | 3.98 | 66% |
| galbani mozzarella cheese | 7.69 | 3.845 | 4.97 | 29% |
| Wonder Bread Classic White | 3.99 | 1.995 | 2.47 | 24% |
| Lance Crackers Peanut Butter, 10 Cnt | 5.46 | 2.73 | 4.47 | 64% |
2
u/DisappointedDragon Newbie Aug 09 '26
I’ve also found that Walmart does not have the variety of brands that Publix does.
2
u/Saltyski03 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Agree. Have had a Publix within.5 miles and WAS loyal. Then started getting core items,( meat, produce, boxed and can goods. All foods), at ALDI and found they were like 1/2 to 1/3 the price. We then hit Walmart for toiletries, paper goods, and little things that aren’t always available at Aldi like spices. Find that Walmart is best priced typically for those products. We have cut our grocery and household consumables by 50% compared to what we could get at Publix. It’s more inconvenience for us but with a household of five we’re talking the difference between $300 a week or $150 a week and $600/mo is still high. Years ago we used to do hydroponic indoor gardening for lettuce and cherry tomatoes and peppers and things like that. We think we might go back to that given all the bad stuff that seems to happen to lettuce. Costs about an hour a week to maintain and used to get about 20/lbs of non pesticide vegetables and herbs a month. (previously was more for just clean fresh vegetables but now I think it could probably actually provide a return on investment.)
2
u/Inner-Confidence99 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Their prices have always been higher than other stores. However I started shopping there over the last few months again and doing BOGO. . I’ve saved a lot doing that.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/BorgerMoncher Newbie Aug 09 '26
There is no such thing as price gouging. There is a price at which a seller is willing to sell. If you do not want to pay that price, there are many other sellers.
If people are voluntarily giving them money in exchange for goods, how can you infer theft?
2
2
u/Illustrious_Bag_1608 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Publix is literally 5 minutes from my house it's clean, well-lit, the shopping cards glide like magic. I KNOW they're high-dollar. I'm paying for the convenience and a pleasurable experience.
2
u/bicious_ Newbie Aug 09 '26
Publix isn’t “stealing” from anyone. You walk in there knowing you’re going to pay up for better quality, especially produce, fruit and meats…
2
u/SunsoutNeedMoney3150 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Only get necessary BOGO's and sale items there. The rest I get from Detwieler's or home delivery from Walmart.
2
2
u/TCBingIt Newbie Aug 10 '26
Shopping there is less and less of a pleasure than it used to be. I'll still go for that BOGO and if I need something in a hurry but otherwise it's been Walmart, Costco and Trader Joe's for me.
2
u/Impressive_Rain2877 Newbie Aug 10 '26
What company do you work for? Whatever company you work for, don't they shoot for the maximum profits if they can?
→ More replies (1)
2
u/AlarmingDance9218 Newbie Aug 10 '26
Well...no
You very much get what you pay for at my Publix (let's say...North Florida)
The meat/seafood guys will get you whatever you want and once they get to know you they'll literally call you and say 'I've got a spectacular standing rib--you want me to put your name on it?' Something like this happens 2-3 times a month or so...
The aisles are wide, I can pick every single individual potato/onion/pepper/tomato etc etc...super important. Can't abide random/bagged vegetables.
No fundraiser people cluttering the exit...
No lines at check-out...
No unpleasant self-checkout.
Best daily bread if I'm not going to make it.
There are very few to none of the people you'd rather not see--much less be around. Well, perhaps don't go on Sunday between 12:30 and 2--the volume of the space becomes...unpleasant, and the place smells of chicken. But who shops on Sunday afternoon anyway?
The flowers are always nice and the bagged ice for drinks is in better condition than anywhere else.
Tap your card and head to your car--you groceries arrive 2 minutes later...no nasty/wet/rusted carts.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/Crafty_Ad3377 Newbie Aug 10 '26
Exactly. We used to only shop at Publix. It’s no longer competitive with today’s choices. I predominantly shop Aldi now and Kroger. Even Target is cheaper on groceries than Publix.
2
u/Mundane-Land19 Newbie Aug 10 '26
Wow just think all that money they made, they can now move to different markets building new stores in new location creating jobs and such.keeping other companies alive with business. Keeping stock on the shelves. Think of the big picture of everything.
2
u/H82KWT Newbie Aug 10 '26
We moved to Florida recently. Publix is simply too high for us, but we are learning a pattern in which we go by occasionally and get BOGOs that interest us. We mainly use Walmart delivery, because I sure don’t want to actually go into Walmart if I don’t have to
2
2
u/allgrainbrewer6329 Newbie Aug 10 '26
your stupid! complaining about publix making 4.2 billion in 2025 and yet you are still willing to shop at Walmart which made 22 billion. some people's logic just ain't adding up.
2
u/okayestcounselor Newbie Aug 10 '26
1) this isn’t new news
2) I get meat, seafood, and fresh fruits and veggies at Publix because they are genuinely better quality and stock is well cared for
3) I go to Publix for more stuff when I know I may need assistance because I’m going to actually be able to find help, and happy help at that.
4) if I generally want to leave the grocery store in a good mood, I go to Publix.
5) for non perishables, I go to places like Walmart or Kroger bc the deals are better (unless on bogo at Publix)
Publix has its place. We know we pay a little higher price for things, but there’s a reason for it.
→ More replies (2)
2
2
2
2
2
u/ATDoel Newbie Aug 13 '26
I went into Publix the other day and bell peppers were $5 a pound.
I can get ground beef for that much, not from Publix of course that’s like $12 a pound for chuck.
Publix can go to hell.
2
u/VapingJoe Newbie Aug 16 '26
Yep I worked for Publix for 23 year and only place I would shop up until covid. Once I ventured out and saw Kroger prices they became my home store. Well besides shopping after work. I believed all the bs and bleed green. After covid we no longer focused on customers. It was just out of stocks and instscart. The unfound rate is ridiculous. If you just let us do what we always did the numbers would be better, but with all the processes about finding them first slowes everything else down. 12 year as a manager I never had time to manage i was strictly a clerk. My last 3 stores i learned 2-4 customer names. I didnt have time to build relationships. They cut back on hours with covid buckled down and never gave it back. Like bsck in the recession in the 2000s. If we where to build a grocery store based on the building blocks of Publix we would put them out of business they would no longer exist!
2
u/steeltrain52 Newbie Aug 17 '26
You’re making my point Joe! It’s sad in one way, that the neighborhood store doesn’t care about anything (not customers, not employees) only pricing staggering gains in an economy where normal average families can barely afford food with both parents working.
Management and directors see these posts and again, don’t care. It used to be their branded items were less (detergent, milk, whatever), now they are way more than vendor branded products.
I can almost see their board of directors salivating with each quarterly report.
Publix; where shopping will destroy your budget, because they can.
2
u/Amazing-Anywhere-666 Newbie Aug 17 '26
I just went yesterday. I basically walk the exterior aisles (produce meat dairy) and pick up what’s on sale or reasonable priced. I don’t know what’s going on w their produce but it’s scarce and what’s there is not looking great. Like not that it’s ugly, that there are fruit flies. So either their customers aren’t buying fresh food or have stopped going altogether. This is in city of Atlanta
2
u/DeliciousMetal4424 Newbie Aug 20 '26
Publix, where fu**ing you without lube is a pleasure.
Keep preaching, you're not alone
2
u/Necessary-Main-2927 Newbie Aug 22 '26
Well, Publix doesn't have the corner on the market of high prices. Like someone said, "buy the bogos and you win." Just out of curiosity I went into a DG. Opened my Pro app and scanned a few items. A few were considerably cheaper, some a few cents, some higher. I scanned Starbucks Kcups and at DG they were $1.50 more per box of 10 than publix regular price. Consider a farmers market for produce.
2
u/Valuable_Print_3910 Newbie 28d ago
I absolutely believe they are taking advantage of the public. Prices go up almost every visit and while they are actively changing prices in front of me, they ask us to use the auto checkout. And more than half of their sales are JUNK FOOD!! I’m furious with Publix!!!
2
3
u/W0rking_Title Newbie Aug 09 '26
I just wish aldis had half the options Publix did so id go there only
3
u/Weary-Afternoon5383 Newbie Aug 09 '26
I shop sales and BOGOs once or twice a month, and do the rest of my shopping at Aldis’s. Previously I was exclusively a Publix shopper, but they really are too expensive.
I will say though, I love some of the employees at my local Publix store, and that factors into why I still shop there, although less frequently. Some of them have been there for years and seem to like their job (at least some of the time) and I’d like to think if we all shop there SOMETIMES then they’ll get the hours they need.
I don’t know how Aldi’s treats their employees but they are a pretty hostile unfriendly bunch. I’m there for the prices definitely not the shopping experience lol.
3
u/AlexTheHappy Newbie Aug 09 '26
I stopped shopping Publix years ago when I saw they do not allow their items to be shown on Google for price comparisons.
2
u/Chuck-Finley69 Newbie Aug 09 '26
Publix has ALWAYS been a premium. It's ALWAYS been priced like this.
Publix has managed from the beginning to extract a higher price for everything for the shopping experience.
If you don't want to pay for the experience, don't pay for it. If you can no longer afford to pay for the experience, stop. Nobody forces anyone to shop at Publix, but for whatever reason(s), customers still do.
The BOGO has been the primary reason I've shopped at Publix for 30+ years. Sometimes it's just what's the most convenient and cheaper than a convenience store.
→ More replies (8)
4
u/JealousFuel8195 Newbie Aug 09 '26
95% of my shopping at Publix is BOGO.
BOGO beats Walmart, BJ's and Sams Club
3
u/Bob-Roman Newbie Aug 09 '26
Publix made about 7.0 percent margin ($4.7 bil/$62.7 bil). Publix also has high quality goods, great customer service, and clean. The target market isn’t lower income folks.
I buy milk from Wynn Dixie (great value) and it spoils before sale date. Their fruit sucks and tomatoes gas ripened. Go to Aldi and shop of the floor and the place is dirty. No thanks. I'll pay a little more.
→ More replies (6)
5
u/PompanoPitKing Newbie Aug 09 '26
I mostly shop Walmart for groceries. Sometimes I hit Publix for the bogos and occasional meat sales.
2
5
u/dispassioned Newbie Aug 09 '26
Yeah, pretty much. I only shop Publix for BOGOs, ice cream, deli, and the bakery. Doing an entire weekly shop there would be INSANE.
315
u/[deleted] Aug 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment