13 Things You Should Know Before Shopping at Publix for the First Time (2024)

  • Groceries
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melissarenae

melissarenae

Melissa is a registered dietitian of over 16 years, and a food health, and nutrition writer. She is a beach-loving, pink-thinking, sparkling-water enthusiast, living and exploring Florida life with her son. She believes food and nutrition are just as much about culture, comfort, and joy as they are about health and strives to create relatable content to reflect that.

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Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

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updated Jan 9, 2024

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

13 Things You Should Know Before Shopping at Publix for the First Time (1)

Publix Super Markets is as Florida as gators, beautiful beaches, and dolphins. Founded in 1930 by Mr. George Jenkins, the award-winning retailer is the largest employee-owned company in the U.S., according to the store’s website. Today it can be found all across the South, with locations also in Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, with planned openings in Kentucky in the near future.

Fans and frequent shoppers are familiar with the bright and welcoming stores — they even accept coupons from other competitors! But if you’ve recently joined us here in Florida (as so many have), or another state, or a new Publix has opened up in your town, you may be curious about this retailer. Here’s what you need to know before you step foot in the store.

1. You’ll find three different Publix private-label brands on shelves throughout the store.

Like many of our favorite retailers, Publix carries its own private-label items, which span across every department in the store. The three brands — Publix, Publix Premium, and GreenWise —are comparable to (if not better than) national competitors, and often lower in price. Look for Publix-branded everyday food and household items. Publix Premium focuses on specialty items, like high-quality meats, coffees, limited-edition ice creams, flowers, party supplies, and even cosmetics; all GreenWise products are made with at least 70% organic ingredients and without a select list of other ingredients. There are also free-standing GreenWise Markets in Florida and Alabama.

2. The bakery section is not-to-be-missed.

Publix’s bakery is on par with any other bakery I’ve found around town. The bread is baked fresh in-house every morning. I buy the 12-grain and seed loaf for everyday bread in our house, and the French baguette is another favorite for sandwiches or to make garlic bread on pasta nights. A weekend favorite is the “breakfast bread,” full of dried fruits and nuts. Warmed with a schmear of cream cheese and a hot cup of tea, it’s a little slice of heaven. (Add a little apple butter in the fall to make it extra memorable.)

You’ll also find freshly made pizza dough — shaped like a ball for the professional tossers out there or pre-rolled for those, like me, who could use a little help. Another highlight is the desserts, like cookies, cakes (including ice cream cakes!), pies, and other pastries. If you have your children with you, you can grab them a cookie (or a piece of fruit from the produce section) on the house!

3. The deli section could be a cafe — and in newer stores, it is!

Are Publix Subs Actually Any Good? Here’s My Honest Review

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Famous for its sub sandwiches, affectionately known as the “Pub-Sub,” there is a full menu of subs available in the deli section. They are made fresh to order, counter-style (some of the newer stores even have actual cafes). You can order off the menu or have a custom sandwich made with your choice of bread, meats, cheeses, and toppings —a local favorite is the chicken tender sub.

And like most major supermarkets, Publix has a bunch of ready-made items, like chicken salads, potato salads, soups, hummus, and hot sides. The savory tarragon chicken salad is … just take my word for it, and get some!

4. The fried chicken is legendary.

IYKYK. Perfectly seasoned and fried fresh, the fried chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. In the deli, you’ll find pre-packaged boxes of eight pieces (mixed) or 20 wings. They usually run about $9 and $15, respectively. It’s an easy grab for a busy weeknight dinner or an always-welcomed addition to the potluck. You can also buy individual pieces or customize your own mix. Different recipes, like spicy or original, and breaded or unbreaded, are also available.

5. If you’re shopping on Wednesday, stop by the sushi section.

Wednesdays are the best days to shop for groceries, and if you’re a sushi-lover add this reason to the list of reasons why. That’s when you’ll find select rolls — tuna, salmon, shrimp, California, or vegetarian rolls —for just $5. While you’re in the seafood section, pick up some fresh shrimp, seasoned and steamed to order, at no extra cost. There, you’ll also find a variety of butter and sauces to add a little razzle-dazzle to your own recipes at home. In the same case, ready-made steam packs with fish or shrimp and vegetables and cold seafood salads are available for quick lunches or dinners.

6. The store’s app is packed with convenient features and extra savings.

Before your next Publix run, download the retailer’s app. There you’ll find weekly deals, digital coupons, and extra savings that aren’t in the store’s weekly ad pages. You can preload coupons and payment of choice for hassle-free checkout. Beyond dollars, it’s also a time-saver! Convenient features, like ordering deli items and family meals ahead for in-store pick up, allow you to skip the lines and keep your cart moving. Ordering meats and cheese pre-sliced to my preference of thickness and weight is the grocery shopping level-up I didn’t know I needed! Feel like a VIP when you breeze by those, not in the know. If you pick up your groceries curbside or have them delivered, you’ll need to download a separate app: the Publix Delivery App, which is powered by Instacart.

7. The weekly BOGO deals are front and (almost) center.

Speaking of deals, the buy one, get one sales — my favorite part of the store — is up front, and not quite center (it’s just to the right of the registers). The exact items rotate week to week, but you can find coffee, jarred sauces, granola bars, cereals, snacks, and I’ve even spotted my favorite gum. These same BOGO deals can also be found throughout the store, along with additional BOGO items.

8. You might walk out of the store with some free stuff.

When the cashier rang in my box of organic strawberries and it came up as the regular price instead of the sale price, I politely questioned it and ended up getting the box for free. I thought it was my lucky day, but it turns out it’s just the Publix Promise.

Publix guarantees that if during checkout, the scanned price of an item is higher than the shelf or advertised price, the cashier will give you that item free (excluding alcohol and tobacco products). If you have multiples of that item, you’ll get the first for free and the lower price for the remaining items. How nice is that?

9. You can return anything.

In addition to the Publix Promise, the chain has the Publix Guarantee. It goes like this: “We will never knowingly disappoint you. If for any reason your purchase does not give you complete satisfaction, the full purchase price will be cheerfully refunded immediately upon request.”

10. There’s a full pharmacy inside.

The Publix pharmacy offers full-service care, including medication management (including for pets!), vaccinations, and even telehealth medical care in some locations. You can also set prescription orders, manage refills and appointments, and set up medication delivery or curbside pickup, but you will need to download a separate pharmacy app.

It doesn’t matter whether you bought too many bags of chips for your party and need to return the extra ones or you opened a gallon a of milk and it spoiled the next day — unopened or opened, Publix will take it back and give you a full refund.

11. You can take cooking classes with Publix chefs.

Whether you’re an aspiring chef, looking for a fun date night, or just want to brush up on your knife skills, you can view free virtual cooking demos from Publix chefs. The nearly 60 videos range from fundamentals to more advanced dishes, and include recipes across seasons, holidays, and global cuisines. In stores, you can also look for Aprons Meal Kits with pre-measured ingredients and recipes for you to follow (similar to online delivery meal kits) and Ready-to-Cook Meals, which just need some time in the oven.

12. The flowers are super fresh.

I know we’ve sung the praises of flowers fromTrader Joe’shere at The Kitchn, and they truly are fresh and cheap — but so are the flowers at Publix! My husband has surprised me a couple of times with bouquets that he’s picked up on his way home from work and they’ve all lasted a solid 10 days, if not 12. Since Publix is much closer to our new apartment than TJ’s and I love to have flowers around, it’s quickly becoming a staple purchase.

13. The beer and wine selection is expansive.

You will find hundreds of beers and wine on the shelves at Publix, including national and imported brands, along with artisan wineries and local breweries. Wines are tagged with details about the flavor profiles and pairing suggestions. (Look for the tag guide in the wine aisle or grab a booklet from the info center at the front of the store.)

Select locations even have a nearby — and, in some cases, an attached — liquor store. According to Publix’s website, the first Publix Liquors store opened in 2003 and there are more than 300 locations and counting. In addition to liquor, these stores sell beer, wine, mixers, and accessories. Liquor is also available for delivery and curbside orders.

So, are you excited about your first trip to Publix? Do any long-time shoppers have some pro tips that I missed?

Filed in:

Grocery Shopping

13 Things You Should Know Before Shopping at Publix for the First Time (2024)

FAQs

What 6 items is Publix limiting? ›

FirstCoastNews reported all Publix stores will limit sales on six items: coconut flakes, dairy whipping cream, half & half creamers, frozen pie shells, frozen hashbrowns and canola, vegetable and corn oil. Walmart makes major pricing changeAug. 19, 2024, 8:29 a.m.

What is the best day to go shopping at Publix? ›

Best Days To Shop at Publix: Wednesday or Thursday

The sales cycle at Publix resets on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Both of these days are great to shop to get the last of previous sales and take advantage of new sales as well.” Cid added, “The best day to shop is the morning of the first day of the new Publix ad.

What is Publix famous for? ›

Publix is well known for their super fresh produce, high-value store-brand products, and their big BOGO (buy-one, get-one) deals. The employee-owned grocery chain's tagline is “Where Shopping is a Pleasure” because it is quite literally enjoyable to step into any of their brightly lit and well-organized stores.

How to save money grocery shopping at Publix? ›

Click Savings > Weekly Ad then choose your local store to view the weekly ad for your area. BOGOs are weekly buy-one-get-one-free offers at Publix. We feature at least 30 deals every week so you can stock up and save. Publix is committed to helping you save money.

What is Publix 10 feet rule? ›

If for any reason your purchase does not give you complete satisfaction, the full purchase price will be cheerfully refunded immediately upon request." Speak to and smile at everyone within 10 feet if you and greet customers within the first 10 seconds of their arrival in your department.

What drugs are $7.50 at Publix? ›

In a statement, Publix announced, "Effective June 1, 2022 we will no longer offer our free prescription program." Instead "Maintenance medications, including Metformin, Lisinopril and Amlodipine, will be eligible for $7.50 for a 90-day supply and Amoxicillin will be $7.50 for a 14-day supply."

Should you tip at Publix? ›

Publix associates do not receive tips.

What day of the week does Publix change their sales? ›

For ads effective Wednesday through Tuesday, we post around 12 a.m. (midnight) Eastern Time Wednesday morning. For ads effective Thursday through Wednesday, we post around 12 a.m. (midnight) Eastern Time on Thursday morning.

What should I wear to my first day at Publix? ›

A maximum of 2 Publix-approved promotional pins or buttons may be worn on your shirt or apron, if applicable. Pants should be dress style or business casual only. No jeans, corduroys, leggings, capri pants, stretch pants, stirrup pants or cargo pants. Pants must be hemmed and cannot be pegged or tucked into socks.

Who is Publix biggest competitor? ›

Competitor comparison
  • Walmart Inc Headquarters. 2,100,000. $648.1B.
  • The Kroger Co Headquarters. 414,000. $150.0B.
  • Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc Headquarters. 206,000. $139.1B.
  • Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV Headquarters. Netherlands. 400,000. $95.9B.

What does Publix stand for? ›

When Jenkins decided to open his own grocery store, he adopted the name "Publix" from a struggling New York-based movie theater company (with 19 opulently decorated movie houses in Florida) called Publix Theatres Corporation.

What was Publix originally called? ›

On Sept. 6, 1930, George Jenkins opened the first Publix location, known then as Publix Food Store, in Winter Haven, Florida. Today, that brick-and-mortar building is still standing, occupied by a restaurant called Tempo 1930. By 1935, Jenkins opened his second location on the opposite side of Winter Haven.

Will Publix cut a watermelon for you? ›

4) Have Whole Fruit Cut to Your Liking

Sometimes you want a whole watermelon, but you're no good at cutting it yourself. Don't worry, Publix will make those dreams come true for you. If there's a whole fruit you need cut (think pineapple or melons), a produce associate can always assist you with that at no extra cost.

Are all Publix prices the same? ›

*Item prices vary from item prices in physical store locations. Fees, tips & taxes may apply.

Does Publix give a discount? ›

When you join Club Publix and enter your phone number at checkout or pay with the Publix app every time you shop, you receive perks personalized for you. Offers are based on weekly deals and other location-based efforts.

What are Publix household limits? ›

We limit coupon redemption to eight of the same coupon per day, per household. Manager approval is needed for individual coupons over $5.

What does Publix do to shoplifters? ›

Publix Shoplifting Policy

Publix, like many other large retail stores, has a zero-tolerance shoplifting policy. So although they'll greet you with a smile and help you carry groceries to your car if need be, they also won't hesitate to detain you and call authorities to the scene if they suspect you of shoplifting.

What is the gift card limit at Publix? ›

Publix gift cards do not expire. Physical gift cards: Yes. The balance of a Publix gift card can be increased when presented at any register in our stores. The new balance cannot exceed the $500 limit.

How many times a year can you buy Publix stock? ›

The Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) allows associates to purchase stock in an individual, joint or custodial account during four time periods each year – referred to as offering periods. Publix does not contribute to this plan.

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