For the last 90 years, Publix has been the leader in providing premier service by staying focused on making shopping a pleasure for customers.
When Mr. George founded Publix in 1930, the first store he opened was much like a general store. But he wanted to create a store with modern conveniences for customers, so over the next decade Mr. George traveled the country to gather innovative ideas he could introduce — ones that no other grocery store in the South had. In 1940, Publix opened its first “food palace” — a marble, tile and stucco store equipped with electric-eye doors, piped-in music, plate-glass windows, self-service meats and a scale that customers could use free of charge.
It was also the first supermarket in Florida and first in the nation to be completely air conditioned! Most products were no longer sold in bulk from behind the counter; instead, they were displayed on shelves or in coolers on the sales floor. Mr. George didn’t invent the shopping cart, but Publix was the first grocery store in Florida to introduce it, making the transition from a hand-carried basket to a basket on wheels.
Innovation didn’t stop back then. In fact, Publix has introduced many innovations throughout the years, including automated teller machines, electronic point-of-sale technology and electric grocery carts. We’ve also added more payment and checkout options, such as mobile payment through the Publix app and online pay for in-store pickup. With innovation at the forefront of our vision, Publix will continue to be a great place to work and where shopping is a pleasure for at least 90 more years.
The legacy of Mr. George’s Lessons: Prepare for Opportunity
In celebration of our 90th anniversary, we are sharing Mr. George’s lessons throughout the year.
Mr. George believed in self-development and encouraged associates to be prepared for career opportunities when they became available. He created an environment for Publix people to be successful if they so desire. He said: “Success is doing what you like to do — and doing it well. The aim is to learn all you can about the business and do the best job you can for the customer.”
Helping associates grow and develop is part of our culture. Promoting from within has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to reach their career goals by starting in entry-level positions and receiving training on the job throughout their careers. As Mr. George would say: “Publix is like a smorgasbord with opportunity spread out for you. Prepare yourself. The opportunities are up for grabs.”
