Publix Super Markets general discussion

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Trader Joes would be a nice alternative to Publix; not sure if they would enter the Florida market and if they would compete well. They tend to rely on a more urban clientèle.

[HARTride 2012]

Tampa Palms' Publix to be demolished, rebuilt

By KENNETH KNIGHT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2009

NEW TAMPA - Plans to shut down and demolish the Publix supermarket in Tampa Palms to build a new one at the same spot are causing some shopping displeasure for loyal customers.

Residents who frequent the store said they are not looking forward to early next year when they lose the neighborhood grocery giant for nearly a year.

"We are going to miss it terribly," said Maggie Wilson, who lives in the Sanctuary village. "The second they open the doors, we will be right back."

Publix plans to tear down its existing 48,000-square-foot store at Tampa Palms and Bruce B. Downs boulevards in January to make way for a new, 54,000-square-foot supermarket. Construction is scheduled to take about nine months.

The store's some 180 sales associates will be reassigned to other stores in the area, Publix spokeswoman Shannon Patten said. No jobs will be lost.

"We try to place our associates where it is most convenient for them," she said.
Patten said she hopes customers will be thrilled and excited about the new store.

When it reopens, the supermarket will be ultra-modern and one of the Lakeland-based chain's largest stores. Patten also anticipates the company will need to hire more workers to adequately staff it.

But Patten's explanation offered little consolation to some Tampa Palms residents who fear economic troubles ahead for businesses planning to keep their doors open at the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center.

Construction and less traffic due to the store closing are likely to have an impact.

"Nobody is very pleased," said Bill Edwards, president of the Tampa Palms Owners Association, of the planned temporary store closing.

"Publix said it's the most economic way for them to do it. It's unfortunate for Tampa Palms residents. They are going to have to drive farther away."

Wilson said she will likely visit some of Publix's local competitors to avoid long trips to the supermarket.

Edwards said Publix is betting on customers returning to shop at the new Tampa Palms supermarket after sampling the competition for nearly a year.

Other residents are willing to make do and gambling on Publix coming back strong.

"Publix wants to expand," said Bill Shimer, a Tampa Palms Community Development District supervisor. "It's an inconvenience for those of us who can practically walk there, but we will get by and look forward to a bigger, better Publix."

Judy Alkow of Freemont village said it'll be an inconvenience but it' will be good to get a new Publix.

The Publix is considered an institution when it comes to shopping destinations in Tampa Palms. Opened in August 1988, the supermarket is the oldest existing grocery store in the area.

Talk of plans to replace it has circulated for months.

An incremental site development plan for a bigger Publix store was filed May 14 at the city's land development department.

Land development officials said city departments were given 45 days to review the development plan designed by LDDI, a Tampa architectural firm, for Pera City Plaza Tampa, which is based in Orlando.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Co., the leasing company that manages the shopping center, has declined to speak publicly about building the Publix project until now.

The improvements are part of a plan to redevelop the entire Publix-anchored shopping center, he said. Façade improvements at the 14-acre shopping plaza are a possibility.

"As part of the redevelopment of the center, Crossman & Co. has negotiated a new 20-year lease with Publix Super Markets," he said in a statement.

Some stores adjacent to the Publix could be torn down to make way for a larger supermarket. Plans include repaving a portion of the parking lot fronting the store.


Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 259-7413.

http://northeast2.tbo.com/content/20...shed-rebuilt/#

[HARTride 2012]

Tomato pickers to march over pay from Publix
Friday, April 16, 2010

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A farmworkers group that persuaded several fast food chains and grocery stores to pay an extra penny per pound for tomatoes is taking on supermarket giant Publix.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers kicks off a three-day march Friday morning to try to persuade the Florida-based supermarket chain to pay more for its tomatoes and to take a stand against abusive work conditions in the fields.

The 22-mile march begins in downtown Tampa. It ends Sunday at Publix headquarters in Lakeland, Fla.

Supporters of proposal say the extra pay would make a huge difference to tomato pickers, but Publix says it doesn't set the price for pickers. The chain says that's done by growers and packers.


http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2...ay+from+Publix

[I-275westcoastfl]

For once Publix is right, these guys need to go to the growers and ask them to charge a penny more which means then Publix would charge more obviously. They are trying to gain support from Publix, we aren't even supposed to talk with these protesters.

[jzquince69]

bought some watch batteries at Publix two weeks ago. they were way cheaper than at Walgreens or even K-Mart. FYI.

[lamsalfl]

Any word on the rumors we heard in 2009 about Publix expanding to Mobile, AL, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and southeast Louisiana? There was supposed to be a new Publix distribution Center built at Exit 10 on I-10 in Mobile to make this westward expansion viable.

[HARTride 2012]

Looks like Publix is testing online shopping

Publix tests online shopping at Citrus Park location

Last Updated: Sunday, January 16, 2011

TAMPA --
A Citrus Park Publix is testing out the concept of online grocery shopping.

A trial program at the Gunn Highway location allows customers to shop online for groceries, drive to the store a few hours later and pick them up curbside.

The service is free the first time, then $8 per visit after that.

A Publix spokesperson said the program is already exceeding expectations and could expand to other locations after this year's trial run.

http://www.baynews9.com/article/news...-Park-location

[lizayuen]

Well that's just plain goodie old crap! I wanted to apply at Public because they had good benefits. Now they want to slash their benefits? What a heck.

---------------
Roulette Reaper

[HARTride 2012]

lol, that's what I was told also. Thank gosh I'm out of retail....

[jzquince69]

I can't remember if this was posted yet, but Publix just got some incentives approved by everybody's fav governor to build their big distribution center by OIA. They announced this thing about five years ago. Looks like they are finally moving forward with it. Hopefully for the Lee Vista people they will access 528 from the SR 551 exit and not cut through the development to get to Semoran.

[spenser1058]

After hemming and hawing about it for years, Publix is finally taking on Harris Teeter in its home base of Charlotte and crossing the line into NC for the first time. Perhaps most interesting is the fact they have plans for an entire new division in Charlotte, which suggests a major expansion into the chain's 6th state.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...permarket.html

[HARTride 2012]

Definitely good news. I like how Publix is gradually expanding in to NC. If things go well, I would say that Mississippi would not be too far away from longer term plans as well.

Although Publix's prices are generally higher than the competition, it is their customer service that makes it worth to shop there. Also, the quality of their bakery tops all others I've been to (especially the custom-made cakes).