Publix sales soar in 2020

Lakeland-based grocery chain made $44.9 billion, thanks primarily to COVID-19 shopping.

Driven by the coronavirus pandemic, Publix’s sales in 2020 jumped to $44.9 billion, the Lakeland-based grocery chain revealed Monday.

The company reported that its sales for the fiscal year ending Dec. 26 were up $6.8 billion, or 17.7%, from $38.1 billion in 2019.

It estimated sales increased about $4.6 billion last year because of the pandemic, which has people eating at home more as many restaurants have reported slumping sales. Early on in the crisis, people also panicbought toilet paper and other supplies.

Net earnings for the fiscal year were $4 billion, up from $3 billion in 2019.

Publix is an employee-owned company so its stock is only available to employees and its board of directors. The company increased the price Monday to $60.20 per share from $57.95.

“It has been about a year since the start of the pandemic, and our associates’ efforts to serve our customers, communities and each other during this difficult time have been amazing,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a news release. “Now, by doing our part to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, we are proud to help our communities take the next step to return to normal.”

Publix is administering vaccines at all 730 of its in-store pharmacies in Florida and is also offering vaccinations in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia. While it is not requiring its more than 225,000 employees to get the shots, it is offering them a $125 gift card if they get fully vaccinated.

For the quarter ending Dec. 26, sales were $11.2 billion, up 14.8% from $9.8 billion the same quarter in 2019. In those three months, Publix estimated sales increased about $850 million because of the pandemic.