While Florida grocery chain Publix has long been known for being pricy, shoppers now say the retailer has crossed into truly absurd territory.
The latest flashpoint is half a watermelon priced at a staggering $18.77.
A shopper shared a photo of the fruit and its price label on Facebook, saying the cost stopped him in his tracks.
‘Publix really had me questioning my own reality today,’the customer, who goes by the name MxrkJunior, wrote.
‘I stood there holding my basket like an idiot, staring at it for a full minute, thinking I misread the tag – because there’s no way half a watermelon costs more than my lunch.’
The same image soon made the rounds on Reddit, where commenters echoed the disbelief. ‘Is it made of gold?’ one asked, as others branded the price ‘crazy’ and ‘insane’.
Whole seedless watermelons typically sell for between $5 and $8, depending on size and season.
The watermelon isn’t the only Publix product drawing criticism.
While Florida grocery chain Publix has long been known for its higher prices, some shoppers are now accusing the retailer of veering into truly exorbitant territory
Another recent flashpoint was a prime tenderloin steak spotted at a Publix store in Yulee, Florida.
A photo posted to Reddit showed the meat priced at an eye-watering $61.49 – equivalent to $49.99 per pound.
‘This is criminal,’ the customer wrote.
‘Not only is this meat mediocre, it’s ridiculously priced. What the hell, Publix?! This is the store in Yulee, FL. It was the only tenderloin on the shelf.’
Other users pointed out that eating in a restaurant would be cheaper.
‘You can get a full ribeye or tenderloin dinner – with table bread, two sides, and soft drinks – in Florida at Outback, Texas Roadhouse, or LongHorn for $26 to $31,’ one commenter noted.
‘Publix is wildly overpriced,’ another added.
Some shoppers say the price hikes extend well beyond produce and meat.
A photo of the costly fruit was shared on Facebook by user MxrkJunior, who said the price stopped him in his tracks
The watermelon isn’t the only Publix product drawing criticism. Another recent flashpoint was a prime tenderloin steak spotted at a Publix store in Yulee, Florida
‘If you think that’s bad, a jar of Planters mixed nuts is going for almost $20,’ one Redditor wrote. ‘Mayo is pushing $10 a jar. Insane – and unsustainable.’
As frustration grows, some customers say they’re turning to competitors.
‘Ingles or even Kroger has better selection,’ one user commented.
‘Whole Foods has a good butcher shop. Costco is the best option for unit economics, for sure.’
Still, competition in Florida remains complicated.
Kroger conceded ground to Publix when it announced plans to shutter its remaining online-only grocery operations in the state in November.
The company closed its physical Florida stores back in 1988 but continued serving some residents through delivery via automated fulfillment centers, which are now being shut down.
Trader Joe’s, meanwhile, has taken aim at Publix by announcing plans to open several new Florida locations.
The Florida-born grocer is also known for its frequent ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ deals, high quality, and friendly customer service
Even so, Publix continues to dominate the market, operating more than 900 stores statewide compared to Trader Joe’s 27.
Costco, despite its fiercely loyal customer base, remains limited by its $65 membership fee and just 35 Florida locations.
Whole Foods offers a more upscale, organic, and artisanal experience, while Publix has traditionally positioned itself as the everyday neighborhood grocer.
Yet as more shoppers call out what they see as runaway prices, Publix’s long-standing grip on Florida’s grocery scene may finally be tested – and its reign could be approaching a bitter end.
