It is unclear why, but the buyer (or buyers) for Publix stores in the Southeast seem dead set on sending their gluten-free customers to Kroger to shop for gluten-free food. Over the last year or so, Kroger has been adding a lot of gluten-free products to the Atlanta stores. Some Atlanta area Publix stores have greatly increased their gluten-free offerings as well, but they seem to be far and few between.
The latest Publix gluten-free mishap is related to the new gluten-free Betty Crocker mixes. Several managers at Publix stores here said the mixes would be here by mid June and yet to date, no one has been able to find them in Metro Atlanta stores - or any Publix in the Southeast. When someone posted a note on the celiac listserv saying that Publix was not necessarily bringing the new gluten-free mixes in, many annoyed Publix shoppers contacted the company to complain.
Now it seems that Publix is on board with bringing in the Betty Crocker mixes. Apparently they do have the sense to listen to their customers – especially when they have a lot of very unhappy ones complaining about the same thing. What Publix does not seem to get is that people other that those living gluten-free will be buying these mixes. While gluten eaters are not likely to stock up on the mixes for themselves, many people will buy them to use when serving their gluten-free family members or friends.
Most people in Atlanta either shop at Publix or Kroger, if they shop at a mainstream grocery store. Some people are Ingle’s devotees but Kroger and Publix are the big players here. We (my household) are Publix shoppers and have been forever. Until last month, we had not stepped into a Kroger in years. Since Publix didn’t get the new Betty Crocker mixes in when the competition did (and still doesn’t have them) we picked up the gluten-free mixes at Kroger in mid June. Hopefully, Publix will wake up and smell the gluten-free coffee before they lose a lot of lifetime customers to Kroger.
Special thanks to CelicacChick for her "tweet" about the FREE Betty Crocker gluten-free mix coupon! Call 1-800-446-1898 for the coupon - they will be mailed out in the second week of August. Maybe Publix stores here will have their act together by then.
Tiffany also writes the Gluten-Free Travel Examiner page.
.jpg)
Comments
Your headline is misleading. Publix evidently does want your business, as it has decided to carry the products, just not as quickly as you'd like. Are you really saying that you'd switch to Kroger (generally considered inferior in many respects to Publix) just because it takes Publix a few weeks longer to get these mixes on the shelves? If yes, that's cutting off your nose to spite your face. If no, then your headline is hyperbolic.
I have been filling out gluten-free product request forms at Publix for over two years. I finally stopped when they never ever brought one item in that I requested. Finally I spoke to someone at the corporate office in FL )more than once) and let's just say I was embarrassed - for them! They don't understand this market at all and that is fine. It is their right not to educate themselves about it. Kroger is outdoing them in this market for the gluten-free set and Publix doesn't seem to mind. Publix was not sold on bringing in the BC line until people started complaining directly to the company. If Publix wants our business they sure have a funny way of showing it. I am saying that I will shop where my business is appreciated and I was totally shocked when I went to a Kroger to find it nicer than any Publix I'd ever been to. Evidently, they are working on changing their image in a big way. It was unreal how nice both Krogers I went to were - seriously.
Thank you for the information I will now dump my BC stock know that I know they make gluten-free products. Gluten-Free Products are damaging our country.
PUBLIX DOES SUPPORT GLUTEN FREE products!!! How do you figure? I shop Publix all the time for Gluten Free items. I got this 10 page gluten free list right from publix.com.
publix.com/managed_pdfs/GlutenFree10117.108335384.pdf
Check it out...get the facts right before you post an article like this.
Your article surprised me. John Saneda, the Manager at Emory Commons, has a robust section of gf products, including Pamela's, Bob's Red Mill, and GF Pantry. He asked me for a list of what we needed, and obtained in addition several frozen entrees by Amy's, and some cereal we like. It takes a while to get the requests into the system permanently, but I have been quite pleased by their attention to our needs and wants.
I have written about the gluten-free list at Publix before and it's a great resource. It is my personal experience that two Publix stores I shop in have never brought in anything I ask for - ever. They have gluten Bionaturae pasta at a store near me but they won't bring in the gluten-free version. When you ask for 20 different things in the course of two years and you don't see any results, it's normal to question whether the company cares if you shop there or not. This problem also happens in FL panhadle Publix stores so it is not just a couple of stores near me with the issue. When people (includnig me) ask Return to Eden or Atlantis Natural Foods to bring something in - they do it if they can. It would be nice to be near a Publix like the Emory location, no doubt.
I have to say I agree with Tiffany if you compare Publix and Kroger's offerings. My Publix has some items, but I can't even buy any gluten free bread at my Publix. (Frozen or mix.) My Kroger on the other hand has multiple choices for loaf breads as well as bagels, muffins, and tortillas. Kroger gets my main business hands down.
Clearly there are many different experiences with Publix going on in the ATL. I just returned from a meeting and on the way passed a strip mall where a Publix used to be. After commenting on the closure to the person I met with, I found out another Publix store in the same area just closed as well. Publix has ruled the roost in ATL for many years but something seems to be going on and it's not good for us - or Publix.
Three years ago some "big wigs" were at my local store and they saw me looking in the Greenwise asile and asked what I was looking for. I told them gluten-free products and they pointed to the ridiculously small selection (it's better now) and as I started to walk away empty handed, one guy told another to go get a note book and ask me what I wanted to see there. I wrote down tons of websites for great products for them. To date that store does not have one of them but a store down the street has a few of them. I can't move to be near a better Publix, of course.
I've had the opposite experience with Chex. I can find the Rice, Corn and Honey Nut Gluten Free Chex at Publix but only Corn at Kroger....and who has the fabled chocolate and strawberry Gluten Free Chex that I've heard about????
Chocolate Chex is at the Kroger on Scenic Hwy. in Lawrenceville. Or it was there on Thursday last week. I don't like chocolate cereals so I didn't get it but a friend of mine tried and loved it!
The Gluten Free Betty Crocker mixes are on the shelf at the Publix at 930 New Hope Road in Lawrenceville.
Neal - thank you so much for the news. I am slammed today and asked another Atlanta Examiner to post the news but she didn't have time to do it so I quickly posted the news after speaking with Publix.
Also, special thanks to "Celiacspouse" and to "Thanks". Your comments really brought the traffic to this article!
My FREE BC mix coupon arrived in the mail last week so I'll go ahead and use it at Publix tomorrow.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!