THE POWER OF PUBLIX

Florida’s Grocery Darling Takes

Over the SouthEd Crenshaw CEO of Publix Super Markets, Inc.

URING A TIME WHEN MOS T OF THE COUNTRY HAD BEEN FORCED TO PU T AMBITION

ON THE BACK BURNER , GEORGE JENK INS WAS PREPARING TO TAK E A LE AP OF FAITH. In 1930, the Georgia native left a sure paycheck from Piggly Wiggly to open the first Publix Food Store in Winter Haven, Florida. Even in the midst of the Great Depression, Jenkins’ deep respect for both customer and employee proved to be the formula for retail success. Eighty-five years later, Jenkins’ Depression-era dream is now a grocery empire with more than 1,100 stores steadily pushing the boundaries of an expanding Southeast market.

Affectionately known as Mr. George, Jenkins and his story embody the bootstraps-born success that has become the hallmark of our nation’s favorite tales of corporate triumph. Ultimately, Jenkins didn’t just start a

successful chain. He grew a beloved brand—one that carries a passionate cult following almost unheard of in the supermarket industry. “Where shopping is a pleasure” is more than a tagline—it’s a corporate promise that has taken Publix from hometown grocery store to the thirteenth-largest general retailer in the United States. At $30.6 billion in annual sales, the company was only one position shy of cracking the Fortune 100 in 2014.

GROWING IN A PROSPEROUS MARK E TAs one of Florida’s largest employers, it’s not surprising that Publix has become a permanent fixture of the state’s business landscape. Distinguished as one of the 16 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Florida, Publix supports operations across a six-state market. Today, Jenkins’ grandson, Ed Crenshaw, leads the company as CEO.The same climate of opportunity that

MATTERSWHERE YOU SET UP SHOP

“Calling Florida home

has allowed us to grow

organically, diversely and

aggressively.”— Ed Crenshaw

CEO, PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS

drew George Jenkins to Florida following the wave of development in the 1920s is still alive today. “For 85 years, Publix has been an important job creator and community partner for Florida, and we appreciate their continued commitment to their home state,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce and Enterprise Florida President and CEO Bill Johnson. “Their continued growth is a testament to Florida’s competitiveness and supportive business climate.” Currently, more than 3,000 companies have chosen

to locate their corporate headquarters in Florida—a growing number that reiterates Florida’s reputation as one of the best states for business. Recognized as the best tax climate in the Southeast, Florida facilitates business growth with a low 5.5 percent corporate tax rate and no personal income tax. As the third-largest economy in the United States, Florida’s corporate appeal is strong, particularly among “everyday” retailers like Publix that benefit from the state’s

permanent population of 19 million, which balloons to include 95 million tourists annually. “Calling Florida home has allowed us to grow organically, diversely and aggressively,” said Crenshaw. “As a Florida-headquartered company, I would strongly advocate our great state for other corporations.”

WHERE WORK ING IS A PLE ASURE One element of Publix’s homegrown success stands out from the rest. In an industry where price is often the deciding factor in brand

preference, Publix has built a fiercely loyal customer base with their reputation for outstanding service. “While others can try to emulate the store environment and product selection, they cannot replicate our associates or their commitment to our success,” said Crenshaw. At the heart of that commitment is Publix’s unique ownership structure. Eligible Publix employees, who Publix prefers to call associates, are partial owners of the company through the Employee Stock

Ownership Plan. Eligible associates also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package as well as privately held stock—perks rarely seen in entry-level retail.

Another hallmark of Publix’s uniquely rewarding work experience is a commitment to accessible professional development. “In order to keep Publix among the great places to work, there must be opportunity for advancement for associates,” Crenshaw said. To encourage professional growth, Publix offers tuition reimbursement for qualified associates, relying on Florida’s acclaimed network of public and private universities, colleges and technical schools to prepare their associates to advance within the company’s corporate structure. With every Florida resident living within 50 miles of a post-secondary educational institution, the state has prioritized educational access, making it feasible for workers to attend school without sacrificing ongoing employment.

A WELL- S TOCK ED TALENT P OOLIt’s not just the store’s friendly floor associates that have pushed Publix to the top. From manufacturing to marketing, Publix relies on the breadth and depth of Florida’s workforce to supply the talent to run its team. The state’s ample labor market boasts more than 9.7 million workers from a broad range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. In particular, Florida’s diverse workforce has helped Publix excel at offering a global experience on a local stage, differentiating itself through product variety and a clear understanding of its customer base at a granular level. “We know and see the first-hand benefits of having a diverse workforce,” Crenshaw reflected. “We’ve worked hard to

Publix’s truck fleet traveled more than 60.2 million miles in 2014, making Florida’s major highways vital to its distribution network.

recognize and market to different cultures through local customization of products and services.”

DELIVERING FRESH FAS TPublix’s commitment to provide the highest quality products at the best possible value has been another major factor in the brand’s continued success. Because fresh demands fast, Publix depends on Florida’s extensive multimodal infrastructure, ranked second in the nation by the National Chamber Foundation, to deliver its produce and its promise in exceptional time. Thanks to Florida’s abundance of available land, Publix has been able to build a strategic network of warehouses

and storage facilities throughout the state. “With more than 760 stores located throughout the state, our warehousing and distribution group is a critical component to our success,” Crenshaw added. “All major highways are important to our distribution network, as our fleet traveled more than 60.2 million miles in 2014.” Quick access to ports is another key advantage, streamlining the grocery supply chain for expedient delivery at markedly lower costs. Altogether, Florida’s 15 deepwater seaports, 19 commercial airports and thousands of miles of road and rail help Publix stay agile and ahead of demand as consumer tastes evolve.

FLORIDA’S EDGE CHECKS OU T From iconic grocery chains to innovative aviation manufacturers, Florida’s opportunity-rich business environment is helping companies across all industries thrive. “In Florida, we want businesses to grow and succeed, and that is why we have worked to reduce burdensome regulations, cut taxes 50 times, and helped create more than 879,000 jobs in four and half years,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott. “We are working to make Florida the global destination for jobs, and we will continue to share Florida’s success story to bring even more businesses to our state.”

FORTUNE’S100 BEST PLACES

TO WORK

18 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

Jacksonville

Orlando

Lakeland

Sarasota

Miami

Boynton Beach

Deerfield Beach

7 O U T O F 8DISTRIBUTIONCENTERS IN

FLORIDAPUBLIXFACTS

LARGEST employee-owned grocery chain in

the United States.

$30.6billion in retailsales in 2014

85 years in business

STORES IN FLORIDA

762

Publix depends on Florida’s extensive multimodal infrastructure, ranked second in the nation by the National Chamber Foundation, to deliver its produce and its promise in exceptional time.

FRESH DEMANDS FAST

60.2 million milesTRAVELED BY PUBLIX TRUCKS IN 2014

2,326 flights FROM FLORIDA AIRPORTS IN 2014

1,103TOTAL PUBLIX STORES

To learn more about how Florida can help your business thrive, contact Enterprise Florida, the state’s principal economic development organization, at 877-YES-FLORIDA or visit PerfectBusinessClimate.com.