It's tough being in the supermarket business. Not only is it highly competitive, turnover is usually high, too. Recently, Malaysian hypermarket brand Giant announced it was closing 5 outlets, and even the upmarket Ben's Independent Grocer (B.I.G.) was sold, so the founders could focus on F&B instead.

However, one brand in the U.S. has been beating out the rest. Consider the achievements of Publix Super Markets:

• 175,208 employees staffing 1,110 store locations
•  The average store manager has been with the company for 25.1 years. 
• 2,428 associates have been with the company for >30 years, 205 for >40 years, and 13 for >45 years
• Annual voluntary turnover rate is 5%. The retail industry average is 65%
• No.101 on the Fortune 500
• Ranked on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For since 1998
• Last but not least, they have never let go of a single employee in 86 years!!

Fortune.com gives an insider's look to how Publix achieves their impressive retention rate. 

1. Employee Ownership, Literally.

Many companies talk about nurturing a sense of ownership amongst workers. But at Publix, employees actually own part of the business! Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the world.

Not only is the starting wage of $8 p/hour higher than the industry norm, after working for one year, Publix employees working 1,000 or more hours are awarded stock valued at average 10% of their salary. They can buy more shares, and will also receive an annual allotment. 

2. Clear Career Path

After 6 months, Publix employees qualify for their first raise, and are eligible for salary increases every six months thereafter. Publix practices a 'promote-from-within' culture, encouraging employees to pursue a lifelong career. This isn't talk, they've proven it: 100% of its retail management team began as entry-level 'associates' (Publix calls its employees 'associates' because "they're co-owners").  In fact, the CEO Todd Jones started out 36 years ago bagging groceries at Publix.

Publix believes that “no associate is better or more important than the others.The CEO is just as important as [the cashiers and baggers].” Any associate who wants to be promoted must submit their ROI and goals. 
 

3. Keep Employees Happy

It's no secret that happy employees makes for happy customers, as Richard Branson famously said:

At Publix, qualified associates get paid time off for vacation, maxing out at 4 weeks a year depending on years of service. A tuition reimbursement program 'is open to any associate with 6 months of service who works an average of at least 10 hours per week. Last year the company paid out a total of $5 million in reimbursements.'  

So how popular is Publix as a workplace? Well 450,000 candidates applied for only 60,870 job openings, 'of which 26,256 were filled internally; the rest were entry-level new hires for part-time positions. And some 30% of those hired from the outside were the result of employee referrals.'

Which part of Publix's culture and benefits would you like to see at your own workplace?