Publix
Publix Super Markets, Inc., commonly known as Publix, is an employee-owned American supermarket chain headquartered in Lakeland, Florida.[1] Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, Publix is a private corporation that is wholly owned by present and past employees and members of the Jenkins family.[5] Publix operates throughout the Southeastern United States, with locations in Florida (867), Georgia (212), Alabama (90), South Carolina (69), Tennessee (58), North Carolina (54), Virginia (20), and Kentucky (1).[6][1] Kentucky is the most recent addition to the Publix footprint, with the company's first store in that state having opened on January 10, 2024, in Louisville.[7]
This article is about the supermarket chain. For other uses, see Publix (disambiguation).Publix
September 6, 1930
Winter Haven, Florida, U.S.[1]
1,373[1]
- Alabama (90)
- Florida (867)
- Georgia (212)
- North Carolina (54)
- South Carolina (69)
- Tennessee (57)
- Virginia (20)
- Kentucky (1)
- Aprons
- GreenWise (products)
- GreenWise Market (stores)
- PIX
- Presto!
- Publix Sabor
240,000 (2023)
Publix maintains 1,373 store locations across the Southeast. As of March 2024, Florida has the largest number of stores, with 867.[1] As of the same date, Publix employs about 250,000 people[8] at its retail locations, cooking schools, corporate offices, nine grocery distribution centers, and eleven manufacturing facilities. The manufacturing facilities produce its dairy, deli, bakery, and other food products.[1] Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the United States.[1][9]
Operating area
Political giving[edit]
Publix political giving is coordinated through their Political Action Committee (PAC), which the company leverages to promote business interests.
According to the Miami New Times, Publix' recent political leanings favor conservative causes, such as opposing the legalization of medical marijuana and the regulation of polystyrene, better known by the brand name Styrofoam. Publix also contributes to the PAC supporting Ron DeSantis, who some conservatives argue is a business-friendly governor.[109] Following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, contributions to other conservative leaders - specifically Adam Putnam - resulted in local protests in the Miami Area.[110] Moments before the protests began, the company announced that it would suspend corporate-funded political contributions and reevaluate their political funding practices.[110] Six days after halting political contributions, the Florida Retail Federation, a trade group heavily funded (>80% in 2017) by Publix, donated an additional $100,000 to Putnam's Florida Grown PAC.[111]
In December 2020, Publix gave $100,000 to Florida governor Ron DeSantis' PAC.[112][113] While some attributed to this donation Publix's partnership with the Florida government to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Florida residents, both the Governor and Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous rejected this claim as "baseless and ridiculous". Publix was able to distribute vaccines to seniors in their markets, while national providers like Walgreens and CVS focused on broader efforts.[114]
Legal disputes[edit]
In 2003, Publix supported a successful bill that prevents owners from suing if their land is polluted by dry cleaning chemicals dumped on an adjacent property, if the adjacent property owners are on a state clean-up list. Publix lost a 2001 lawsuit filed by an owner whose property had been contaminated in this manner.[121]
On October 4, 2005, Publix sued Visa and MasterCard, citing unfair business practices over their unannounced and non-negotiable increases in merchant account fees.[122] Wal-Mart won a similar lawsuit against Visa in 2004.
In 2014, Publix was fined by the Board of Human Rights of Broward County, Florida for discrimination involved in the termination of an LGBT employee.[123] Upon appeal, the 17th Circuit Court found that the decision by the Board of Human Rights of Broward County was "not supported by competent, substantial evidence" and quashed the order.[124]