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Publix to expand headquarters to help fuel growth

Plan also calls for addition of 700 more jobs

Russell Redman

September 28, 2018

2 Min Read
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To meet the needs of ongoing expansion, Publix Super Markets Inc. plans to expand its headquarters and bolster its workforce.

The Southeastern grocer said it aims to enlarge its corporate office in Lakeland, Fla., and add 700 jobs by the end of 2027. Publix President and CEO Todd Jones announced the plan on Thursday with Florida Gov. Rick Scott and local officials and community leaders.

“Publix’s growth is made possible by the hard work of our associates and the loyalty of our customers,” Jones said in a statement. “These additional jobs will help us support our store associates as they continue to provide the premier service our customers expect.”

Publix said that, since announcing the construction of its current headquarters in 2001, the company has entered three more states, more than doubled its annual sales, opened over 500 new stores and added approximately 70,000 associates.

Currently, Publix operates 1,198 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The supermarket chain, which totaled sales of $34.6 billion last year, is owned and operated by its more than 195,000 employees.

“I’m proud to join Publix today to celebrate 700 new jobs in Lakeland. This announcement is great news for Florida families and exemplifies the incredible economic turnaround we’ve had in our state,” Scott said. “Since December 2010, hard-working Florida businesses like Publix have created more than 1.6 million jobs, and our unemployment rate is the lowest since April 2007. Publix is one of Florida’s greatest success stories, and we’re proud of their growth.”

Late last month, Publix unveiled plans to build a refrigerated distribution center in Greensboro, N.C., by the end of 2022 supply grocery products to its stores in the Carolinas and Virginia. The facility would be the retailer’s 10th DC and first in North Carolina. The company also operates 11 manufacturing facilities.

Also on the expansion front, Publix has rekindled its GreenWise Market store format and announced plans for five locations, including Tallahassee, Lakeland and Boca Raton, Fla.; Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and Marietta, Ga. The first GreenWise is slated to open next month in Tallahassee.

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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