No Publix in the New England, but we have a local chain in CT/MA called Big Y. They are non-union, American owned and offer Publix style service at similar prices. Always spotless, plenty of staff and the staff they have are always knowledgeable, courteous and presentable.
S&S offers the same high prices with a union workforce that work at their pace and would often rather finish a person conversation before helping a customer. Of course, the union has the habit of protecting the people who should be fired, thus keeping dead weight on the payroll.
“the union has the habit of protecting the people who should be fired, thus keeping dead weight on the payroll.”
You nailed it there, and that my friend is the problem with them. IMO why the big 3 US car manufacturers can’t hang with Toyota, Honda etc.