re: TulaneLSU's statistical analysis of the merits and ratings of Publix, H-E-B, and Rouses

The new H-E-B just opened in Frisco TX a few months back. I’ve never seen so many Lululemon Yoga pants in one spot. Unreal

I didn't read all that nonsense, but I can tell you from my own anecdotal experience that If I could choose which grocery store I always had ready access to, HEB would be my first choice and it isn't even close.

Followed by Rousses then Publix. Though I have been to fewer Publix than any of the others.

Take this for what it is. New York born and Florida raised but have been stationed in New Jersey, Florida (x2), Mississippi, Ohio, and Georgia through the Air Force. I am a year from retirement living near MacDill AFB in Tampa.

I unfortunately have never been stationed in Texas where H-E-B is. I only saw it in passing on the bus in Basic Training and my Tech School was up in Wichita Falls which is podunk and didn't have H-E-B. But my Texas friends rant and rave about it!

I was stationed at Keesler 2010-2014 and have been to Rouse's in Ocean Springs, Gulfport, Diamondhead, and Slidell and maybe since OS and Gulfport were old A&Ps they seemed crappy except for the store made seafood and King Cakes.

My wife and I would make a monthly trek to Publix in Daphne and then Mobile when it opened for our PubSub fix and yes there were some Florida based items like Makoto's Japanese Dressings from Melbourne, Joffrey's Bagged Coffee from Tampa, and some local beers like Cigar City Brewing but like TulaneLSU said he is right there aren't many local items.

He definitely has it right that the prices are outragous at Publix and because of that we order our groceries for delivery through Kroger now which we had in Ohio and Georgia. Kroger's store label products to me rival Publix in most aspects. I really hope Kroger gets enough foothold to start building physical stores here in Florida and rival Publix like they do in every state outside of Florida.

Publix is a way of life in Florida. The only other options are Winn-Dixie or Aldi (I never count Wal-Mart as that is not a real grocery store). You pay for the experience at Publix. The stores he visited were probably at least 12 years old or were former Albertson's locations. The real good Publixes are the newest ones in Tampa. They have full on Coffee and Beer bars, Pizza bar, Burrito/Taco bar, and Rice Bowl bar. I think Publix like most stores along with the other 2 mentioned its location specific. You can have an expansive Publix with all of the bars above or a basic Publix with just Bakery and Deli.

And one more thing

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But Publix sandwich-sub bar sadly just does not make the cut. The much ballyhooed subs at Publix fail for me. I tried two and both times I thought Subway made a better sub.

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Are you on crack comparing Publix Subs to the McDonald's of sub places that smell like "bread fart"? I can name at least 5 sub joints that are better than Subway!

Friend,

For the most part I find your posts obnoxious and over done. In fact, I usually never bother opening the threads. BUT, you’re spot on with this one. I like Rouses for Rouses when I’m back home. I’ve been to plenty Publix traveling. Neither are in the same league as H-E-B, particularly Publix.

Beer. Bourbon. Buttholes,

- Klark Kent

Publix = QT

HEB = Bucees

they're different animals

I appreciate this analysis, but you don't have a job, do you?

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I spent 20 uninterrupted hours working on an algorithm to score and weigh many different aspects of each store. I then spent another three hours to break down that system and put it into layman’s terms.

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I am more than happy to re-evaulate my scoring methods based on your suggestions, but warn you that the algorithm used is a product I have been fine tuning for more than a decade.

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Does not compute.

Is rouse the only one that serves hot boiled crawfish? That's got to be extra points.

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Word on the street is HEB is buying Rouses.

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Every so often a rumor pops up that HEB or Publix is coming for Rouses. But it never seems to pan out.

The biggest shortcomings with Rouses now is that it is still dependent on AWG on most of its warehousing and delivery to stores.

In the last few years, Rouses moved their headquarters from one of its original stores in Thibodaux to the Weatherford offices in Schriever near Fletcher. That facility is nowhere near the size and scope of what a large warehouse like the one in Pearl River that AWG has. I passed by it tonight, it is right next to another Mega warehouse where Rooms To Go distributes its furniture. The good thing about Schriever for Rouses is that there is lots of room to expand and US 90 nearby helps out. It is more centrally located to distribute groceries from Alabama to Sulphur. I could even picture an Amazon last mile delivery center being built around there.