Publix Service
"Publix is always at its best when the economy is at its worst," says Burt Flickinger in a Wall Street Journal article by Timothy W. Martin (4/23/09). "Competitors are now cutting back or contracting, and that's when Publix sees the most opportunities for expansion," he adds. It's true: Publix, which is employee-owned, opened 79 new stores last year and acquired another 49 from Albertson's. By comparison, Kroger opened 60 stores, Whole Foods opened 20 and Supervalue added 14.
One attribute is at the heart of such success: Customer Service. Even though its short-term profits are down, "Publix is staying at full staffing levels and lowering prices in hopes of keeping its existing customers happy and attracting new ones." The approach actually is nothing new. The retailer's founder, George Jenkins, built Publix on a simple philosophy of customer service. Wouldn't you know it -- "the same relentless focus ... is helping the company through the current tough market."
That philosophy means that Publix president Todd Jones jumps in and start bagging to keep checkout lanes moving (his first job at Publix actually was as a bagger). It means that its delis are staffed by 8-10 people, not two like most supermarkets. It means that there's usually a Publix employee handy to help shoppers find stuff. The Publix definition of customer service also extends to include its prices, which it has lowered by 20 percent on staple items, even as its own costs have increased. Publix plans to open another 30 stores this year, and its sales per square foot ($548) is second only to Whole Foods ($820).
Comments
Correcting a misleading post.....
To correct the misleading post above, entitled "food stamps"...
The Facts:
Publix part time employees ALSO get quarterly bonuses (same as full time employees).
Publix part time employees ALSO get company stock (just as full time emploees, but based on a minimum number of hours worked).
If the previous writer does not have dental insurance, it is because he chooses not to have it - dental insurance is available to all employees both full-time and part time.
Health insurance is available to all employees who work an average of 30 hours per week or more. If the writer is truthful that he works a little less than 35 hours per week, then he ALSO has health insurance, or he chose NOT to purchase it.
Publix employs some minors basically to give young folks an opportunity to gain valuable work experience. Prior to allowing this, it was highly requested of Publix by many people in all the communities where Publix operates. The claim by the other writer that this is somehow exploitive, is pure nonsense. The value to hiring minors, aside from providing them an oppoortunity, only comes later if that employee chooses to continue working after they gain the skills to become more productive.
Publix also provides opportunities by hiring persons with disabilities. This is yet an other way Publix does its part to act as a responsible citizen in the community.
Most criticisms you read about Publix are lodged by union symphathizers who would rather demand a high starting wage, than learn the business from the ground up and work their way to a high paying job. This is the same mentality that has bankrupted the US Auto Industry, and will undoubtedly lead many other union controlled companies to a similar fate.
Publix promotes from within. You must learn how to run the business and every part of it, before Publix will hand you the keys to your own store. That's the way it should be, and that's what has made the company successful. There is no such thing as a 'free lunch'.
food stamps
I make $8.75 an hour and work less than 35 hours per week. I have no health insurance or dental insurance. ( I made this kind of income 27 years ago.) I'm on food stamps. Publix employs approximately 144,000 people and around 70,000 are part timers without benefits. Without the part time employees the company would cease to exist. The full time employees get quarterly bonuses, vacation time, sick time and company stock. You could say factually that the full timers in this company have exploited the part timers to get the benefits that they have. They employ minors, thus reducing their labor costs.
The stores are immaculate, clean, and customer service friendly. They cater to the medium to upper class portion of society.
It's the craziest company I've ever worked for. They really care about the customer because they are the companies bread and butter yet their attitude is that employees are replacable have don't have any real value. It's the most unchristian company I've ever been associated with.
it is true. publix is an
it is true. publix is an amazing company. i have worked there for over 2 years now, and it has been one of the best jobs ever. not only are they amazing with your schedule, but i have worked in 4 different departments, just so i could learn something new and they respect that i want to do that!
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