The Clear Reason Customers Say Publix Is The Best Grocery Store Chain

Grocery stores operate on a notoriously thin margin, making growth incredibly challenging. With that being said, the Southern grocery chain Publix has seen steady growth, while other chains like Kroger have rolled back. In September alone, Publix opened nine new locations, expanding its reach farther into the Southeastern United States. This growth is in part due to the love the chain has from its customers, with reviewers online praising it as the best grocery chain in the United States.

Publix began as a small family-owned grocery store in the 1930s, founded in Winter Haven, Florida, with a focus on providing a high-standard and luxury shopping experience. Contrasting other small, regional grocery stores that are calling it quits, like Thom's Market in Austin, Texas, Publix had expansion and growth in mind from day one. The grocer has become one of the most popular chains in the United States due to its affordable, high-quality products, where the company's values are on clear display. Publix states on its website that combining its ambition to become "the premier quality food retailer in the world" with tangible strategies, has taken it from a small family business to a rapidly expanding chain. 

The growth Publix has seen is in part due to its commitment to quality over quantity. Quality is a core value that resonates throughout both the culture and products at Publix. Several awards support this, as Publix has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 best companies to work for every year for the last 30 years. Whereas other popular grocery stores may pay higher wages, Publix says its culture of treating staff and shoppers like family makes it a highly valued place to work and shop.

The chain has also gained respect from customers due to its commitment to local communities. With a clear environmental initiative focused on lowering its carbon footprint, Publix says it is committed to "taking care of people and minimizing the impact to our planet." Additionally, unlike bulk food chains like Sam's Club, Publix offers discounts like buy-one-get-one-free deals to shoppers without requiring a membership or enrollment in a loyalty program. The Publix deli has also gained a large following with the "Pub Sub." Many bloggers have made a point of highlighting the value and quality of these sandwiches, emphasizing that the bread is baked fresh daily. Even in a tough market, Publix has doubled down on the value of high-quality customer-focused service, and it shows as the chain continues to grow.