Publix purpose

Customer service and quality products.

That's what Publix founder George Jenkins decided to focus on early in the company's history, says Brian West, Publix Media and Community Relations manager for ventral, western and southwest Florida. West spoke about that history at a recent meeting of the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. “Mr. George was all about developing relationships with his customers,” West says.

In the initial days and years of the company, that focus on customer service meant incorporating features into stores to make shopping easier and more comfortable for customers, such as air conditioning and automatic doors at the entrances.