By George Anderson
The Publix way is slow and steady. Test concepts carefully and, if they work, continue rolling them out. If they do not, as with the PublixDirect home shopping service, cut your losses and move on to some other idea that builds profits.
With the announcement that Publix plans to open its seventh Pix convenience store in Seminole, Fla., the regional powerhouse would appear to have hit on a concept that bears further development.
According to company spokesperson Shannon Patten, Publix is currently looking at other sites to open Pix stores but has yet to finalize whether it will build the combination gas/convenience outlet in other locations.
Publix has six Pix stores in Florida and another in Tennessee.
Moderator's Comment: What lessons are there for other retailers in Publix' approach to new business ventures? Where do you see the company going with the Pix convenience concept? - George Anderson - Moderator