Publix Boosted Fiscal 2021 Sales by 12.4%

Publix Super Markets tallied big sales for its fourth quarter and fiscal year as well as a 10.5% surge in comp sales, compared to a 6.3% increase in its third quarter, according to an SEC filing on March 1.

For the fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 25, the Lakeland, Fla.-based retailer saw sales climb 12.4% to $12.6 billion from $11.2 billion a year earlier. Fiscal 2021 sales came in at $48 billion, up 7% from $44.9 billion a year ago.

For the full year, net income totaled $4.4 billion, or $6.40 per share, compared with $4 billion, $5.67 per share, in 2020. On an adjusted basis, excluding net unrealized gains on equity securities in 2021 and 2020, net earnings for fiscal 2021 were $3.6 billion, or $5.21 per share, vs. $3.7 billion, or $5.21 per share, a year earlier.

Effective March 1, Publix’s stock price increased from $66.40 per share to $68.80 per share. Publix's stock is not publicly traded and is made available for sale only to current Publix associates and members of its board of directors.

“While our country is taking steps to return to normal, our associates continue to provide the premier service that brings comfort to our customers, communities and each other,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement. “I want to thank our associates for their extraordinary efforts during the past two years.”

Publix is one of the country's largest employee-owned grocer, with more than 225,000 associates on its payroll.