• Company Overview
• Stockholder Information
• Q & A
• News Room
  • Recalls (Español)
  • Media Relations
  • New Store Openings
• Corporate Sustainability
• Real Estate
• Purchasing

Publix Super Markets to Close PublixDirect

LAKELAND, Fla. - Aug. 22, 2003 Publix Super Markets Inc. has decided to close PublixDirect, the online grocery shopping service it began testing in south Florida two years ago.

"We regret that our online grocery shopping business did not meet our expectations," said Publix CEO Charlie Jenkins Jr. "Despite many loyal customers and dedicated associates, PublixDirect simply didn't have enough volume to continue this service."

Publix's human resources department will help the approximately 440 associates at PublixDirect's Pompano Beach fulfillment center and Alpharetta, Ga., headquarters find employment opportunities within Publix as well as through outplacement services. Associates will receive approximately nine weeks of pay. During most of that time, they'll be given paid leave in which to seek other jobs.

As a result of the decision to close PublixDirect, Publix expects to record a pretax charge of approximately $30 million during the third quarter of 2003. The expected impact of the closing on net earnings is approximately $18 million or $0.10 per share for the three-month period ended Sept. 27, 2003.