“Thank you” is important for everyone to hear. That’s one of the reasons we started scheduling formal appreciation visits more than 30 years ago.

I’ve always enjoyed going on Associate Appreciation Visits (AAV). It’s a legacy of Mr. George, and I really believe in it. One of my focuses during these visits is to continue to thank our managers and associates for the work they do to help keep us successful.

I see visiting as being a fun opportunity to meet new people and speak with associates I haven’t seen in some time. But above everything else, it’s an opportunity to thank you.

Publix’s success depends on the work you do in our stores and support facilities. You each have a customer — for retail associates, it’s the customers in your store; for support associates, it’s our stores. For us as leaders, it’s all of you.

Throughout the year, everyone gets so busy in their daily jobs that we might forget to express our gratitude for what you do to serve your customers. That is part of why AAVs are so important. It gives us the time to slow down and appreciate each other.

I speak on behalf of Publix leaders when I say thank you for everything you do every single day to serve your customers. It’s nice to say it. I know it’s nice to hear it. It’s even better to show it. We’re all looking forward to meeting as many of you as we can over the next few months.

Ed Crenshaw
CEO