[DanielAvery]

When a supermarket chain has a large number of stores, it's difficult for small farms to supply them all for any length of time. These chains, therefore, have to turn to suppliers who buy from numerous farms and large-scale operations. Even if a mom-and-pop type farm approaches a supermarket offering to sell some of its produce, the corporation that owns that single market won't typically deal with them because they (the farm) hasn't been properly vetted and approved by all the entities that have a say in such transactions. The corporation has to be sure that the produce has been properly grown (that is, not sprayed with all kinds of toxic substances, etc.) and that the people selling it are adhering to all the typical rules/laws regarding labor and working conditions. Most corporations aren't willing to spend all that time researching and approving all these smaller operations throughout their chain--the aggregators can do all that (and take the heat if the growers turn out to be lying about their operations or products).

Moreover, one of the expectations of shopping a larger chain is that the assortment and quality of products will be uniform. If a nationwide chain advertises strawberries on sale, the chain needs to be sure that those items will be available and look pretty much the same. Thus you will see the same national brand (usually Driscoll's), not 500 different locally-grown brands that can vary wildly in quality.

[bale002]

Thanks to everyone for explaining the local fruits issue, it makes a lot of sense now.

Take care.

[ByeByeLW]

Jeez. Info about Publix and other stores can be found on the bizjournal sites as well as the Publix site, and others.

It’s not insider info!

[Hammocks Bum]

Originally Posted by ByeByeLW

Jeez. Info about Publix and other stores can be found on the bizjournal sites as well as the Publix site, and others.

It’s not insider info!

So...what was yout point all about ???? eek

[Jo's Garage]

Originally Posted by Carolina Knight

A Publix store I shopped at today had extra low prices and excellent customer service. A competitor nearby that had issues with high prices and bad customer service closed recently.

Extra low prices At Publix? That's hilarious.

Customer service? Stop stocking the shelves while I'm trying to shop.

BOGO. Another huge scam.

Just lower prices to what other stores sell things for and be done with it.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by Jo's Garage

Extra low prices At Publix? That's hilarious.

Customer service? Stop stocking the shelves while I'm trying to shop.

BOGO. Another huge scam.

Just lower prices to what other stores sell things for and be done with it.

LOL. How is it a scam?

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by Jo's Garage

BOGO. Another huge scam.

Fake news. Esp on beer. You aren't getting a 12-pack of longneck bottled, premium variety, anywhere for 9.99 after BOGO discount.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by chopchop0

Fake news. Esp on beer. You aren't getting a 12-pack of longneck bottled, premium variety, anywhere for 9.99 after BOGO discount.

Nor are you getting 2 25oz bottles of cold-pressed olive oil for $18 (after BOGO discount) anywhere.

[brownbagg]

they are a little bit high price, but i like them, clean and neat, I hate that they dont open till 8:30am, sometimes i need something on the ride into work

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by brownbagg

they are a little bit high price, but i like them, clean and neat, I hate that they dont open till 8:30am, sometimes i need something on the ride into work

The ones near me open at 7AM and close at 10PM.

That said, while I agree that yes, their regular prices may be slightly higher than average, it's not THAT much more, and their sales/BOGOs can lead to some pretty substantial savings. Stuff like Cascade dishwasher pods, cereal, olive oil, bags of lettuce, etc., can definitely add up.