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Publix deploys contactless payment for extra COVID-19 safety

All 1,200-plus stores to have tap-to-pay systems in place by this weekend

Russell Redman

April 3, 2020

2 Min Read
Publix_supermarket-exterior_photo.jpg
Publix said contactless payment provides an extra safety measure for customers and store associates amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.Publix

Tomorrow, Publix Super Markets expects to complete the rollout of contactless payment to all of its more than 1,200 stores in the Southeast.

Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix said yesterday the deployment provides an extra safety measure for customers and store associates amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Some stores already are offering the contactless payment option, and the systems are slated to be in place chainwide on Saturday, April 4, including at the retailer’s small-format GreenWise Market stores.

With contactless — also known as “tap” — payments, shoppers put a smartphone or credit/debit card with the technology near a contactless-enabled device, instead of swiping or inserting a card into the PIN pad. Popular forms of contactless payments include Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

“In these unprecedented times, we recognized the need to make our customers’ trips to our stores faster and more efficient,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement. “By expediting this payment option, we will help customers reduce contact with commonly used surfaces like PIN pads.”

Contactless payment comes in addition to the existing mobile pay option via the Publix app, which customers can still use to complete their transactions, the company said.

Related:Publix store associate in Georgia tests positive for COVID-19

Overall, employee-owned Publix operates 1,242 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia and has a workforce of more than 200,000 people.

Other in-store efforts by Publix to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 include more frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as carts, door handles, PIN pads, ATMs and vending machines; installation of plexiglass shields at all cash registers, pharmacies and service counters; suspension of product and recipe sampling; behind-the-counter relocation of non-single-use condiments (such as creamer carafes and squeeze bottles) at stores with cafés; reduced store hours to allow extra time for store cleaning and preventive sanitation; and designated shopping hours for seniors.

To promote social distancing, Publix also has deployed signs, marked distances on the floor to indicate where customers should line up, and initiated intercom announcements to remind customers to maintain the recommended 6-foot distance between people. Store associates in non-food handling roles — such as cashiers, baggers and pharmacy clerks — have been provided the option to wear gloves and masks as well.

And in support of employees, Publix said it has instituted emergency pandemic pay for full- and part-time associates who show symptoms of o  are diagnosed with coronavirus, as well as those caring for someone with the virus or self-quarantined due to COVID-19.

Related:Publix leaps into club membership game with Club Publix

Last week, the retailer also unveiled plans to hire thousands of associates to fill positions in its stores and distribution centers to help meet rising demand for groceries as consumers hunker down at home. They include workers from service, manufacturing, warehousing and other business sectors who have been laid off during the COVID-19 economic shutdown, the company said.

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

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Publix Super Markets

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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