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Publix to boost workforce by 30,000

Southeastern chain to fill store, distribution and manufacturing jobs

Russell Redman

October 4, 2021

2 Min Read
Publix store associates.jpg
Publix said its fourth-quarter hiring push includes non-seasonal jobs in its stores, distribution centers and manufacturing plants.Publix

Through the end of this year, Publix Super Markets aims to hire about 30,000 associates across its seven-state Southeastern market area.

Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix said Monday that the fourth-quarter hiring drive includes non-seasonal jobs in its stores, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities.

“As we continue to grow, having a dedicated team ready to meet our needs is vitally important,” Marcy Benton, vice president of human resources at Publix, said in a statement. “Whether associates are new to the workforce or making a career change, Publix provides great benefits and a strong culture in which its associates build long, fulfilling careers.”

The nation’s largest employee-owned company, Publix has more than 225,000 employees and operates 1,283 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The retailer also operates nine distribution centers (seven in Florida and one apiece in Georgia and Alabama) as well as 11 manufacturing plants (bakery, dairy, fresh foods, deli kitchen and printing services) in Florida and Georgia.

Besides employee stock ownership and purchase plans, Publix offers comprehensive health and wellness benefits, an overall well-being program and tuition reimbursement, the company noted. Also, associates who get a COVID-19 vaccination receive a $125 Publix gift card.

Related:Walmart to add 150,000 store workers in holiday hiring push

Publix marks the latest grocery retailer to announce a hiring push, as companies prepare for the holiday season and compete for workers amid a national labor shortage and elevated consumer demand in the food retail sector due to COVID-19.

Heading into the holidays, Walmart last week unveiled plans to add 150,000 more workers — just weeks after announcing it aims to hire another 20,000 associates in supply chain positions — while Target Corp. last month said it plans to hire 100,000 seasonal workers as well as offer 5 million more hours to current staff, lifting pay by over $75 million. Earlier, Amazon announced it aims to create another 125,000 local job opportunities across the United States, and The Kroger Co. Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen told CNBC that the company has about 20,000 job openings and is “aggressively hiring anywhere we can.”

Also, Aldi U.S. held a National Hiring Week from Sept. 20 to 24 to help the fast-expanding discount grocer add more than 20,000 new store and warehouse employees. Other supermarket retailers holding hiring events include Albertsons Cos., Schnuck Markets and Bashas’, among others. Last month, Hy-Vee said it’s looking to hire 2,000 full- and part-time pharmacy technicians amid increased demand for health care services due to COVID-19.

Related:A post-Labor Day reflection on grocery jobs in our evolving industry

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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