Publix to Expand HQ
Publix Super Markets has unveiled plans to expand its Lakeland, Fla., headquarters and add 700 additional jobs by the end of 2027. Since construction on the grocer’s current corporate office was revealed in 2001, it has entered three additional states, more than doubled its annual sales, opened 500-plus new stores and hired about 70,000 more associates.
“Since December 2010, hard-working Florida businesses like Publix have created more than 1.6 million jobs, and our unemployment rate is the lowest since April 2007,” noted Florida Gov. Rick Scott at a press conference regarding the expansion. “Publix is one of Florida’s greatest success stories, and we’re proud of their growth.”
Added Publix CEO & President Todd Jones: “Publix’s growth is made possible by the hard work of our associates and the loyalty of our customers. These additional jobs will help us support our store associates as they continue to provide the premier service our customers expect. We are proud of the role we continue to play in the great state of Florida.”
“Publix consistently enhances the culture of Lakeland and has done so for 88 years,” observed Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz. “Its pursuit of excellence in corporate leadership and stellar retail customer service raises the shopping experience for the rest of us.”
The Tampa Bay Business Journal reported that the expansion would add 190,000 square feet to the 320,000-square-foot Lakeland campus, and would be in the same architectural style as the original building. The campus currently houses 1,400 employees, according to the Journal.
Although spokeswoman Maria Brous told the newspaper that Publix hasn’t yet chosen an architect or general contractor to work on the project, she said that the company hoped to move into the expanded space in 2020. Brous also noted that the 700 new hires would be across Publix departments.
The project was made possible through partnerships with Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Florida Department of Transportation, Career Source Florida, the City of Lakeland, Polk County, the Lakeland Economic Development Council and the Central Florida Development Council.
Publix employs more than 190,000 associates and operates 1,188 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The retailer ranks fourth on Progressive Grocer’s Super 50 list of top grocers in the United States.