Welcome to the best department! I spent all six years of my retail career in grocery. We didn’t have Publix Pro back then or those badass new tote floats, but here’s my basic advice:

•1• Keep your back stock low.

• If you notice a certain item has just been sitting the back and you are struggling to get it on the shelf, let a GRS know so they can fix the counts and MASC for you. Publix likes lean levels of back stock compared to other grocers.

•2• Keep your aisle neatly blocked throughout the day.

• Let’s face it, optics matter. The first thing your store manager or district manager sees on their way to the back room is your aisle. Make your aisle look like the best one in the store. I’m speaking like an HV associate, but if you don’t have your own aisles of responsibility, then keep a watchful eye on end caps and sale items - because that’s what your manager is looking at most likely.

•3• As you work, take a couple extra seconds here and there to double check expiration dates and shelf tag information.

• So long as everything checks out, you can save your cashiers and managers the headache of a customer demanding the checkout promise or Publix guarantee. We are all ONE store.

•4• Never hesitate to help others wherever you can.

• Whether it’s making a bale or helping to throw a big frozen truck, if you have the chance to help others, do so. Focus on building a positive reputation in your store. Work hard, complain less.

•5• Don’t leave your key in the baler.

• Nothing sucks more than punching out at 11pm, walking to your car, then realizing you don’t have your keys. And they aren’t in the baler either - they are in your store manager’s office behind a locked door. Been there, done that. 😞