Publix a privately or employee owned and America based super market chains. The company, known for the grocer retails was founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins and is now headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, united states. The main products of the company includes Bakery, prepared foods, deli, sea foods, diary, produce, meat, pharmacy, Green Wise, PIX, money orders, lottery tickets, snacks, sushi, fuel, liquor and general grocery.
Strengths
• The commendable strength of the company is the ideal locations and number of the stores at different demographic locations having 1,023 stores along with 4 Sabor stores, 3 Green Wise Stores, 11 Pix convenience stations, 7 cooking schools and 11 event planning locations.
• The company’s revenue is calculated up to $ 24.3 billion with net income of almost $1.2 billion with the labor strength of 146,500 employees and are successfully organized through employee stock ownership program.
• On Forbes 2010 list the company was at number 8th position.
• The company is enjoying 86th position fortune 100 list and is closing the space very quickly.
• The company has its own manufacturing units for diary, bakery, deli and other eatables.
• Their huge numbers of locations are concentrated in five U.S States, according to the population concentration.
• The specialized salad networks of restaurants in Florida, which are Crispers, are run by Publix.
• The customer service provided by the company is very organized and responsive as well.
• The company enjoys high returns on its investment thoroughly.
Weaknesses
• The company has been involved in court petition for certain gender discrimination issues.
• The market is limited to only five states; however such a good number of stores can cover a number of states instead of its saturation in the selected states.
• The company is not in pace with growing information technology needs.
• The product quality is mostly compromised which repels the consumers and established a situation of mistrust on them.
• Price range is not flexible and not affordable to every one.
• Employees are strictly treated for following the specific dress code.
• There is no variety in store designs; the similar format is followed for all of them.
Opportunities
• A strong hold on the penetrated markets because of saturated presence as well as the product diversity.
• The dealing and performance criteria are standardized for all the stores and no deviation I accepted.
• The company is placing special emphasis on private brands.
• A number of new stores have originated in specially the last two years.
• A very good temptation is given in the form of free cooking classes; which is also the part of their promotional strategy.
Threats
• The company is facing a number of competitors like Costco, Kmart, and BJ’s whole sale club, Wal-Mart along with the regional competitors like Winner Dixie, Bi-Lo, Swwet bay and Piggly Wiggly.
• The product price being comparatively high supports the competitors to take a competitive advantage over price.
• The global increase in labor and operational cost.
• Wal-Mart is expanding globally, while Publix is just concentrating in the same states.
• The internet penetration of the company is not strong enough to cope with the changing trends.
References
• Official website. www.publix.com Retrieved on April 10, 2011.
• Publix Super Markets Invests in Crispers. (August 8, 2002). Publix News Release.
• EOC, Publix settle gender discrimination suit. (January 27, 1997)..Jacksonville Business Journal.
• Publix Tests Curbside Service (July 10, 2007). The Ledger.