Publix

Publix Super Markets, Inc., commonly known as Publix, is an American supermarket chain based in Lakeland, Florida.

Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, it is an employee-owned, privately held corporation. Publix is currently ranked No. 67 on Fortune magazine's list of 100 Best Companies to Work For 2011 and was ranked No. 6 on Forbes' 2011 list of America's Largest Private Companies and is the largest in Florida. The company's 2011 sales totaled US$27.1 billion, with profits of nearly $1.5 billion, ranking #106 on Fortune magazine's Fortune 500 list of U.S. companies for 2012. Supermarket News ranked Publix No. 8 in the 2012 "Top 75 North American Food Retailers" based on 2008 fiscal year sales. Based on 2011 revenue, Publix is the fourteenth-largest US retailer. Publix's current stock price is $22.40 per share though it is privately held and not available to the public.

Publix has operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.

In 2012, Publix announced they would open stores in Charlotte, North Carolina, the first in the state. Publix also said they are already looking to expand within the state.

It employs over 140,000 people at its 1,056 retail locations, cooking schools, corporate offices, eight grocery distribution centers, and nine Publix brand manufacturing facilities. The manufacturing facilities produce its dairy, deli, bakery, and other food products.

Publix stands as one of the largest US regional grocery chains, only one of a handful of chains operating over 1,000 locations. Its main competitors are national grocery chains IGA, Kroger, SuperValu, and Whole Foods; consolidated retail and warehouse chains, including Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club; and several regional grocery chains, including BI-LO, Fresh Market, Piggly Wiggly, Sweetbay, Winn-Dixie, and Ingles. Publix's slogan is "Where Shopping is a Pleasure".