In recent supermarket war news, Publix is climbing the monetary ladder. The company, which operates more than 1,400 locations in the Southeast, put up strong profit margins in 2024. But as far as customer satisfaction goes, the company is bleeding dry. Shoppers are more than disgruntled with Publix’s “criminal” prices. In a series of Reddit threads, users say Publix’s inflated prices are “absolutely insulting” and they’re accusing the grocer of “price gouging.”
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Despite inflation and the impact of Hurricane Helene, Publix had a profitable year in 2024. The company’s third-quarter fiscal earnings report showed a notable increase in net sales and comparable (same-sale) stores by 4.9 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively. Publix’s stock prices also soared, from $16.46 to $18.05 per share. (It’s worth noting that Publix is a private company, owned by its employees and the Jenkins family, who founded the business back in 1930.)
The earnings report put Publix’s financials in the green and subsequently, left big-wigs and employees pleased. However, customers are fired up about the news, citing their inflated grocery bills as Publix’s cause for celebration.
“I needed tortilla chips the other day.. $7.35 for a bag of [expletive] tostitos scoops. Insanity,” ranted one shopper in a Reddit thread.
“Publix profit rose over 50% in 2023 crazy but we know why, fleecing their customers!” chanted another.
A third wrote, “I grew up thinking Publix was the best, and man I’ve been led to the wolves.”
Several Publix customers also said it isn’t unusual to find discounted items for the same full-sale price at other stores.
“Publix is the worst grocery store to shop at due to ridiculous pricing. Only time it’s worth it is for their BOGO offers. Even then you have to be careful the offer just doesn’t reduce the price down to competitors’ regular price,” a Redditer pointed out.
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Moreover, shoppers are now encouraging their peers to boycott Publix and shop at its competitors, including Target, Whole Foods, and Sam’s Club, instead. “Target has always been cheaper with their groceries,” said one customer in a Reddit thread.
Another agreed, writing, “In my experience, Target has always been cheaper than Publix.”
“I’d much rather shop at Trader Joe’s, Target, even Sam’s club,” admitted a third Redditer.
According to one shopper, “Whole Foods generally beats out Publix for cheaper prices,” too.
“Publix can kick rocks. Sam’s Club has been a game changer and I don’t have to go to the store every week,” reads another comment.
During a recent grocery trip, one person said they noticed that Publix had increased its pricing before putting items on sale.
“You will notice they will raise their prices before any sale. Today I noticed they left one of the old prices up after their soft drinks went on sale for Buy 2 Get 1 Free. They raised the price by almost a dollar for a 12 pack of Coca Cola products,” they wrote.