Publix's Mold-breaking Moves Makes it a Market Leader

South Florida’s grocery giant -- Publix -- continues to gain market share due to its continually evolving offerings to consumers says a report on www.sun-sentinel.com. Within the last year, the supermarket has debuted stores with Hispanic and Caribbean themes, plus created prominent counters that sell luxury perfumes and fashion jewelry. Next year, it plans to open two organic foods markets in Palm Beach County.

Its innovative approaches have pushed the competitor ahead of the pack that includes Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., Albertsons and Wal-Mart. According to trade publication The Shelby Report of the Southeast, Publix has managed to hold onto 57 percent of the market with its 215 South Florida stores. Winn-Dixie is a distant second, while third-place Wal-Mart is strengthening its bid for market share.

However, The Shelby Report’s editor, Lorrie Griffith, said of Publix, “I don’t believe anybody’s going to catch up with them anytime soon.”

Publix is going along with the national trend among supermarkets to change to match the needs of the local neighborhoods in which their stores are located.

“Food retailing is basically a local phenomenon,” said Jim Hertel, senior VP of Willard Bishop Consulting, a Chicago-based firm that researches consumer shopping trends. “The fact that Publix stayed close to their region and stayed close to their shoppers has proved tremendously successful.”

Hertel noted the necessity of Publix remaining competitive despite its current dominance as consumers know they can drive slightly further and obtain a price break.

Personal touches are what attract customers to Publix. Publix’s Sabor caters to the needs of Hispanic and island shoppers, while Publix GreenWise Market gives shoppers natural and organic foods.

“We want our stores to reflect the communities they serve,” said spokeswoman Anne Hendricks.