‘Aldi is the only option,’ cry desperate Publix shoppers threatening to ‘boycott’ retailer over price hikes | 6326T90 | 2024-05-01 17:08:01
'Aldi is the only option,' cry desperate Publix shoppers threatening to 'boycott' retailer over price hikes | 6326T90 | 2024-05-01 17:08:01
PUBLIX shoppers in a chokehold over price hikes are ditching the popular grocery store for cheaper, discount options.
As business booms at the Southern grocery chain, frustrated customers say prices shouldn't be swelling too.
Despite US inflation cooling off significantly, prices at the supermarket have yet to come down, with the cost of groceries recording a whopping 25% higher than in 2019, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Tired of getting less bang for their buck, shoppers are flocking to social media to vent over price hikes, especially from one particular grocer.
"At Publix, shopping just for myself, getting what I normally do, it went from $110 to $180," Danny Turkel told Miami New Times.
Customers who can't afford to see their grocery bill increase are ditching the store altogether.
But it isn't exactly an act of defiance shoppers are proud of.
"It bums me the f*** out," Marlee Gleiberman told Miami New Times.
"Growing up, Publix was our staple for groceries. Now that I'm an adult, Aldi is the only option."
Others have taken to making multiple stops in search of the best price among several stores.
"I've been doing longer drives to Trader Joe's and hitting up my local smaller chains for cheaper groceries," Krystal Millie Valdes told Miami New Times.
While shoppers scramble to afford the store's groceries, Publix is recording better numbers than ever.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> In March, the retailer released its annual earnings results, revealing net earnings were $4.3 billion, compared to $2.9 billion in 2022, up nearly 50%.
It's also faring well in comparison to its competitors, earning more on its $57 billion in sales last year than Kroger did with $150 billion in revenues," reported Barrons.
PUBLIX PROTOTYPE
This past February, Publix opened the third of its prototype stores in Wesley Chappel, 23 miles northeast of Tampa.
The new layout is equipped with an upstairs area for sitting, a Publix Liquors area attached, outdoor seating, and records larger than most Publix stores at 55,701 square feet, reported Grocery Dive.
Of Publix's 1,300 locations, at least 863 are located in Florida, per the store's website.
<p class="article__content--intro"> The Consumer Price Index is how the federal government measures inflation. </p> </div> </div> Founded in 1930 in Winter Haven, about 50 miles east of Tampa, the chain continues to expand its footprint, with data in a 2023 Publix 10-K indicating its plans to spend $2.3 billion from its $1.8 billion spent in 2022.
A spokesperson for Publix told Grocery Dive that it doesn't yet have a complete list of future stores it plans to build out similarly.
"It's one of our store prototypes and will be used as space and opportunities allow," they told Grocery Dive.
Prototypes were designed to elevate the traditional Publix experience and have been compared to Wegmans and Costco's food court.
Meanwhile, Walmart's CEO said inflation and "higher prices are kind of with us" but there's hope for those who want cheaper items.
Plus, a grocery chain CEO revealed the real reason grocery prices are soaring.
More >> https://ift.tt/3X2D8WB Source: MAG NEWS
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