Publix comparable sales growth slows to one percent in third quarter

Publix reported a sales increase of only one percent year over year for the recent quarter, according to Grocery Dive. Sales growth at the supermarket chain has moderated for five consecutive quarters. Grocery Dive reported that the slowdown was caused by consumer price sensitivity and reduced prescription drug prices tied to federal Medicare maximum fair pricing under the Inflation Reduction Act. [1]

The one percent sales growth matches the performance recorded in the second quarter. Grocery Dive reported that this growth rate is a sharp drop from the 7.3 percent sales increase the grocer posted during its second quarter of the previous year. Chief Executive Officer Kevin Murphy stated that many customers are feeling the effects of a challenging economy. [1]

Publix Super Markets is an employee owned American supermarket chain headquartered in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, the company is owned by current and past employees along with members of the Jenkins family. It employs over 260,000 associates and operates across the Southeastern United States, including 898 stores in Florida, 219 in Georgia, and 97 in Alabama. [2][3]

The grocer expanded into Kentucky on January 10, 2024, opening its first store in Louisville. The company reported retail sales of 62.7 billion dollars for fiscal year 2025, which ended on December 27, 2025. That total represented a five percent increase from 59.7 billion dollars in 2024, with full year comparable store sales rising 3.5 percent and net earnings reaching 4.7 billion dollars. [2][3]