Reputation is everything, and Publix ranks second among retail brands, according to Reputation Institute’s annual survey of America’s top 50 most reputable retail companies.

For the third consecutive year, only Amazon had a better ranking than Publix. Other supermarket retailers in the top 10 included Whole Foods (third), Costco (fifth) and Ahold (10th).

Reputation Institute conducted more than 50,000 interviews with U.S. consumers to determine the rankings. The study defined retailers as apparel stores, food stores, department stores, warehouse retailers, convenience retailers, specialty retailers, resale stores and online stores.

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Our associates and their special talents are part of what makes Publix such a great place to work. These associates were recognized at recent industry competitions.

Publix decorator wins cake decorating challenge

Decorator Donna Barley, #1007, Cape Coral, Florida, was crowned champion of this year’s International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) 20th annual Cake Decorating Challenge.

The challenge lasted three days and began with the decorators creating enough production cakes to fill one multi-tiered, eight-foot bakery case. On the second day, decorators designed a wedding cake. On the final day, each finalist decorated three cakes: special occasion, IDDBA show theme — Growing the Future — and decorator’s choice.

Donna is Publix’s second consecutive IDDBA cake decorating champion. Decorator Sarah Watts, #1038, Gainesville, Florida, won the 2014 challenge, and many other Publix decorators have competed and placed in past events.

Associates show off how they are driving success

More than 200 professional truck drivers from around Florida competed at the 2015 Florida Trucking Association’s (FTA) Truck Driving Championships, and three Publix associates were recognized with special awards.

• Lakeland Truck Driver Barry Fisher was selected as an FTA driver of the month.
• Sarasota Truck Driver Tony Schmidt was selected as an FTA driver of the month and placed second in the four-axle driving category.
• Lakeland Truck Driver Keven Anderson was named state champion in the flatbed driving category and is representing Publix and Florida at the National Truck Driving Championship this month.

Not only did our drivers perform well as individuals, they collectively received the Team Championship Award for highest combined scores for the skills course, pre-trip and written tests.