[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Strel

I shop at the Publix in Bradforville (aka north Killearn, B-ville got swallowed up) and most of the time it is just fine. I have no complaints about service, everyone there is very polite and helpful.

But...it is probably the most whitebread Publix in Florida. Getting "ethnic" ingredients is a problem. No Goya pinto beans? WTF? It seems they discontnue a lot of the products I buy in favor of something more bland, vanilla, and American.

Spice it up, Publix!

I have noticed that Publix tends to cater to the neighborhood tastes. In Lakeland, the big Publix I went to had very little ethnic foods and spices; the big Publix here on University Parkway (Sarasota) has an ENORMOUS selection of all types of ethnic foods - even a huge isle of Jewish/Kosher foods I just discovered. All the Publix stores seem to vary a bit on what they carry.

[Granny Sue]

Originally Posted by BCreass

I'm not a big fan of Publix supermarkets in FL. For one, I think they have too much of a monopoly, which is never good. I come from the UK originally, where instead of having just one main supermarket chain (Wal-Mart & Winn-Dixie don't count), I got to choose from 4-5, at least 2 of which were open 24 hours and were twice the size of even a large Publix, offering far more variety and more affordable prices, particularly on fresh/baked produce.

Publix are good for certain items, but I have found that the quality of their produce has gone downhill fast, the bakery sucks and most of the aisles are just aisles and aisles of the same artificial cr*p, i.e. 100 different varieties of salad dressing, but not enough varities of cheeses, meats & fresh vegetables.

I also find their policy of not only bagging your groceries, but helping you carry your groceries to your car rather baffling. Yes, I know that sounds weird, but I don't understand why someone perfectly able-bodied needs help wheeling their groceries to their car & unloading them. Personally, I call that a luxury and a gross inefficiency. Those staff would be better employed manning the checkouts, or ensuring that the shelves are kept stacked up.

I think that Publix would benefit from healthy competition. Why will no major supermarket chain take the chance and come down here to try to compete with them? Competition is always good, after all.

Then again, my experience of Publix supermarkets comes from living in South Florida....perhaps Publix supermarkets are better in other parts of the state?

What are your thoughts?

And I can't even find one thing in your post I agree with. And I'm sorry you do have to count WinnDixie and WalMart if your going to cry "monopoly"

Here in Orlando we have all that and more.
Their Bakery is one of the best around.
Complaining about bagging and helping to the car? It's called customer service. No I don't usually let them take it to the car but that's just such a petty thing to get upset about.
I think you're just mad at them for something and needed to vent.

[luvthatmouse]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

I have noticed alot of Publix in Florida, as well as the other stores mentioned. If you really want to see a true monopoly in the grocery store business New England leads it in this country. I grew up in New England and all we had was Stop & Shop no matter where you went with a Shaws in some of the towns. So at least Florida has a few others besides Publix.

I like Market Basket in MA.

[Colddiamond102]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

Wegman's is the best, but we will not likely see one in Florida soon.

Publix carries out the groceries because it is easier to control the carts.

What bugs me more than anything there, and a lot bugs me there, is the goofy plastic bags. They never ask paper or plastic. I hate the plastic bags and I always want paper. Usually I bag myself, because I've grown tired of seeing cans put on top of tomatos.

Publix carries out the groceries because it is part of customer service, which is one of the things the company prides itself on.

You want paper bags? TELL the bagger! They'll do it immediately.

[Kathleen1971]

Originally Posted by Colddiamond102

Publix carries out the groceries because it is part of customer service, which is one of the things the company prides itself on.

You want paper bags? TELL the bagger! They'll do it immediately.

Or get some of those eco friendly bags. They rock! They hold so much that I have to get after the bag boys sometimes because I am not as strong as a 17 year old boy lol. I love though being able to fit pretty much all of my groceries into 3 bags or less. And then there is the whole enviroment thingy.

[gymbuff]

Go to Sedanos if you don't like Publix.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by BCreass

As for Publix, maybe they are better further north. All I know is that I can't find one half-decent Publix supermarket here in Miami. My biggest gripe is with the bakery/produce. The bakery tries to imitate Latin food, but charges $0.69 each for a tiny croquette, which you could get in a proper Cuban cafe for half the price (and better). I find that the produce is well below par and overly priced. In fact, I often go to Whole Foods just to get decent produce, even though it costs more.

I know people from parts of Miami that sometimes drive all the way to Miramar just to go to Publix. There is definitely a difference just when you cross the county line and once you get even further, to Palm Beach County and beyond the stores are beautiful and better stocked. I have found Publix in Dade to be pretty bad and Publix in Broward to be just OK, although a huge step up in service. I think the Publix stores in SW Florida are probably the best.

The prices are, terrible, however. I find I acutally spend LESS buying better produce at Whole Foods. I'm acutally starting to do the majority of my shopping there, as I'm finding that my grocery bills end up pretty equal.

[TNRyan23]

When I was growing up in the Tampa area we never shopped at Publix because of the prices. We would usually go to Albertsons, Kash-N-Karry ( out of business ), or Winn-Dixie.

Publix moved up here to Tennessee about 4-5 years ago and is starting to catch on but they're still getting crushed by Kroger and Walmart. Anytime you go into a Publix here there are hardly any shoppers.

If I were still living in Florida I doubt I would shop at Publix unless I had to.

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by luvthatmouse

I like Market Basket in MA.

I only saw a few of them there in the region Im from. Bellingham had one I know.

[Lakeland Yankee]

Publix is way too overpriced imho. I like Winn-Dixie better.