Content about Publix

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix has promoted one of its executives.

Gino DiGrazia, who currently serves as VP and controller of Publix's business analysis and reporting, has been promoted to VP finance. In addition to his current responsibilities for business analysis and reporting, DiGrazia assumes many of the responsibilities previously held by Kelly Underhill, director of tax and treasury, who retired from Publix on March 30.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — On Wednesday evening, United Way recognized Publix Super Markets with two Summit awards for philanthropic engagement and community impact, the two companies announced Thursday.

Publix's 2011 United Way campaign raised $45.6 million — a 12% increase over 2010 — plus associates' per capita gifts exceeded the food industry average by 398%. Publix associates also volunteered 900,000 hours, including more than 1,500 associates serving on United Way and nonprofit boards.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix on Wednesday declared an annual cash dividend on its common stock of 59 cents per share.

The dividend will be payable and mailed June 1 to stockholders of record as of the close of business April 30, the grocer said.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix will open an expanded access, full-service retail pharmacy at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., on July 2.

Currently, Moffitt's retail pharmacy offers specialized convenience to patients treated at Moffitt on an outpatient basis, Moffitt employees and their dependents, and other cancer center visitors, Moffitt said. The Publix pharmacy at Moffitt will continue to provide excellent customer service to patients and will be able to expand services including:

DAYTON, Ohio — While Walmart maintained the No. 1 position on Interbrand's "U.S. Most Valuable Retail Brands" list for 2012, several other retailers are moving up the ranks.

Although Walmart touts a value that's more than $139 billion, this year also marked a 2% decrease for the big box retailer, Interbrand said. Second on this year's list was Target, which holds a value of $23 billion, a 1% increase over last year.

WABAN, MASS. — Research results released Tuesday by Temkin Group, which rates the customer experience of 206 large companies across 18 industries, showed that only eight companies deliver excellent customer experience.

Sam's Club and Publix led the pack, followed by Starbucks, Subway, Chick-fil-A, Aldi, Winn-Dixie, H-E-B and credit unions.

According to the 2012 Temkin Experience Ratings, in its second year, 76 companies (37% of the total) earned "poor" or "very poor" ratings.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Sheila G Brands' Brownie Brittle line has made its way to Publix.

The Brownie Brittle line, which is available in chocolate chip, peanut butter chip and toffee crunch flavors, now is available at Publix stores nationwide. The line initially launched last January.

In addition to Publix, Sheila G Brands products also are available in thousands of stores in the Northeast and Southeast United States, as well as the Caribbean, and at Paradies airport shops, and hotel gift shops across the country.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Third-quarter sales for Publix rose 5.5% to $6.4 billion, the Florida-based supermarket retailer announced Tuesday.

Comparable-store sales also saw an increase, rising 4.3% for the period, while net earnings totaled $311.9 million, compared with $283.2 million the in year-ago period, reflecting a 10.1% increase. Earnings per share for the retailer were 40 cents, up from 36 cents in the same period last year.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix announced that it once again is offering immunizations against the flu this season.

This year, however, the company is offering traditional flu shots, a needle-free option. Additionally, some of its pharmacies will offer the intradermal flu vaccine — which is injected into the skin instead of the muscle and uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot — and Fluzone High Dose, which is recommended for patients ages 65 years and older.

TORONTO — Safeway and Wegmans ranked highest across all customer service elements, according to a survey by Empathica.

Empathica, a customer experience management solution-provider, polled more than 16,000 consumers, and found that operations and merchandise were the two most important elements in grocery shopping versus other elements, such as promotions, people and technology.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix announced that it now offers free 30-day supplies (up to 30 tablets) of lisinopril to customers with a prescription for the medication.

All strengths of generic lisinopril are free, Publix said, noting, however, that lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) combination products are excluded from the offer. Lisinopril is designed to prevent, treat or improve symptoms of such conditions as hypertension, certain heart conditions, diabetes and certain chronic kidney conditions.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix on Monday reported sales of $6.6 billion for the second quarter, a 5.8% increase. Comparable-store sales for second quarter 2011 increased 4.2%.

Earnings per share for the second quarter increased to 48 cents for 2011, up from 44 cents per share in 2010.

Effective Aug. 1, 2011, Publix’s stock price increased from $21.65 per share to $22.05 per share. Publix stock is not publicly traded and is made available for sale only to current Publix associates and members of its board of directors.