Publix at 95: Employee Ownership, Customer Loyalty, and Tech-Driven Growth

Founded in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida, Publix has grown into a dominant grocery retailer in the Southeast, with 1,390 stores across eight states and annual sales of nearly $60 billion. In 2024, the grocer recorded $59.7 billion in sales, net earnings of $4.6 billion, and comp sales growth of almost 3%. Publix’s ability to expand while delivering consistent results makes it one of the most respected names in food retail.

In 2024, Publix opened 43 supermarkets, closed 13, and remodeled 117 locations, ending the year with 30 more stores than it started. At year’s end, 48 stores were under construction, with the majority in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, but also projects in Kentucky, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia. By late 2025, new stores in Foley, Alabama, and Spring Hill, Tennessee will mark further progress.

Publix currently operates 878 stores in Florida, along with significant footprints in Georgia (220), Alabama (94), North Carolina (58), South Carolina (70), Tennessee (59), Virginia (24), and Kentucky (4). These expansion efforts reflect the company’s long-term ambition to be the supermarket of choice across the Southeast.

Publix has refreshed its store experience through a new, larger prototype format. Shoppers now find expanded pharmacies, liquor outlets, and even in-store burrito bowl bars. These enhancements align with the company’s mission to add convenience, variety, and lifestyle-oriented offerings while staying true to its tradition of service.

Publix has paired its physical expansion with a bold digital transformation. The company invested $120 million in a high-tech campus in Lakeland, Florida, serving as a hub for innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and retail media. This centralized strategy is designed to reduce costs, mitigate risks, and sharpen competitiveness in a margin-sensitive industry.

Technology is woven into the shopping experience. Publix’s digital wallet program and mobile app offer customers buy-one-get-one-free deals, coupons, shopping lists, and personalized insights. Its Instacart partnership powers delivery and curbside pickup—including a 15-minute delivery option in some markets—giving Publix an omnichannel advantage. AI tools also help optimize inventory, personalize offers, and strengthen customer service.

Publix is monetizing its first-party customer data by offering retail media opportunities to consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands, creating new revenue streams while helping brands target customers more effectively.

Expanding Across the Southeast

Elevating the In-Store Experience

Technology Investments and Digital Innovation

The Employee-Owner Culture

Community and Customer Focus

Conclusion: A Distinctive Model for Grocery Leadership

As the largest employee-owned company in the U.S., Publix credits much of its success to its 260,000 associates. The company has appeared on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for 26 consecutive years, underscoring its employee-first culture. Associates act like owners because they are—creating a level of service and pride unmatched in the industry.

Publix CEO Kevin Murphy emphasizes this unique culture: “I’m very proud of our 255,000 Publix Associates and all of our owners. They really make it easy for all of us—they’re the true difference makers. I’m especially proud of what they do day in and day out. When our customers think about Publix, they don’t think about corporate offices or anything like that. They think about the special Associates in their store—the people they look forward to seeing each week, and the people who look forward to seeing them as well. We’re a blessed company, and it’s all about our unique culture,” said Murphy during an interview with Supermarket News.

Publix’s strong local sourcing strategy and community involvement are key differentiators. Its “Publix Serves” weeks mobilize associates to give back through community initiatives, reflecting the company’s philosophy that service extends beyond the store. As Murphy explains, “For us, customer service isn’t managed through policies or rules about how to treat customers. It’s about philosophy…you treat your customers like family or friends in your own home. You treat them like royalty.”

This combination of community focus, employee ownership, and tech-driven growth explains why Barron’s reported in 2024 that “Publix dominates the Florida grocery market” and enjoys stronger margins and a fortress balance sheet compared to rivals like Kroger.

As Publix celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2025, the grocer is leaning on its historic culture of ownership and service while embracing cutting-edge technology to stay competitive. Its store expansions, digital innovation, and associate-driven model highlight a company both proud of its roots and ambitious about its future.