The Best Days To Shop At Publix, Hands Down

The corporate slogan at Publix is "where shopping is a pleasure," and, for many shoppers in the American South, that's no exaggeration. Publix isn't the cheapest grocery store in the United States, but its stores are famously clean and inviting, and the company prides itself on being a great place to work, making for happy employees. It has a reputation for both its subs and its fried chicken, to say nothing of its excellent private-label groceries. Accordingly, many Publix stores are super busy. Is there a better time to shop at Publix so that you can plan your trip accordingly? Turns out the answer is a big "yes" ... Wednesday and Thursday mornings win for Publix shopping for a variety of reasons.

While some retailers roll over their weekly ads on Saturday or Sunday, Publix is unique for the fact that its sales begin in the middle of the week. This varies by location, but the promotions start on either Wednesday or Thursday. This means that, if you want a shot at the best BOGO deals (another big Publix selling point), you should show up those days. Furthermore, while individual stores have different expected rush periods depending on factors like nearby attractions and proximity to senior centers or colleges, Wednesday and Thursday alike tend to be slower days, according to anecdotal reports on Reddit. Just don't show up during the madness of early evening when many shoppers get off work, because Wednesday and Thursday are just as bad as other days during these times.

There's definitely a strategy involved in smarter grocery shopping, as savvy consumers know. Tips like observing the best times to buy produce and knowing there's a reason milk is kept at the back of the grocery store will help you select the best items and avoid impulse purchases. Of course, at Publix, there are a lot of potential impulse buys that could turn into must-haves on your weekly trip to the market.

Publix's bakery is renowned, with specialty items — like Key lime pie — that are Florida staples. The house-brand ice cream at Publix is also a treat, not only with a wide variety of flavors, but also delicious creaminess as well. Don't miss the prepared foods at the grocer for a quick and easy weeknight dinner ... we've mentioned the rotisserie chickens (which absolutely slap), but the meatballs are also worthy of note. You'll also want to scoop up high-quality staples at a decent price, like eggs and berries.

If you visit Publix during the right day(s) and times, like midweek mornings, you will have time and space to really explore the store for an eyeful of all the great items that it offers. You'll have your pick of the best deals, since it's unlikely that bargains will already be sold out, and you probably won't be jockeying for position in crowded aisles against other aggravated shoppers. If shopping truly is a pleasure at Publix, visiting on Wednesday and Thursday will give you the best chance of finding that out for yourself.