This document outlines Publix Super Markets, Inc.’s commitment to protecting your privacy. It details how your information is collected, used, and shared in connection with their Services, including websites, mobile applications, and other online and offline platforms. By using these Services, you agree to the Terms of Use and this Privacy Policy.
How Publix Collects Information
Publix gathers information through several channels:
- Directly from you: This includes information provided online via their website or app, and offline in stores or over the phone.
- From third-party sources: This encompasses information from social media platforms you use to engage with Publix, as well as from their partners.
- By combining data: Information from various sources, both online and offline, may be aggregated.
Categories of Information Collected
Publix collects a broad range of personal information to operate their business, which can be categorized as follows:
General Categories
- Identifiers: Name, physical address, email address, social media handle, phone number, IP address, device identifiers, government identifiers (for specific sales/ID verification), and identifiers associated with cookies and similar technologies.
- Financial Information: Payment card details.
- Health and Insurance Information: Prescription details for pharmacy customers.
- Demographics: Age and gender.
- Transactional Information: Records of purchases, orders, product preferences, selected coupons/offers, and content accessed or viewed.
- Internet or Other Electronic Network Activity: Details on how you use, access, or interact with the Services, including mouse and keyboard activity, information about your activities on other online services, and browser/device information.
- Location Information: City and state provided, or location derived from your device or browser settings.
- Communications Records: Transcripts of interactions with customer care teams for training and quality assurance.
- Video Recordings: In public areas for security, safety, and operational purposes.
- Survey Responses: Information provided in response to surveys.
- Inferences: Preferences or characteristics derived from collected information.
Information Collected Directly From You
While some Services can be used without providing personal information, certain features may require it. This can include registration for an account, providing identification, or sharing details like your name, address, email, phone number, credit card information, household information, demographics, and interests. You have the choice not to provide this information, but it may limit your access to certain features or transactions. When shopping in-store or online, Publix may collect purchase information linked to a payment card, the Publix App, or a register number.
For those providing a mobile telephone number, you represent you are the account holder or have permission to receive calls and texts, authorize Publix to deliver calls and SMS/text messages (including for advertising via automatic dialing systems or pre-recorded voices), agree to promptly notify Publix of any number changes, and indemnify Publix for claims related to failure to notify. Standard usage rates and fees from your mobile carrier may apply.
Information Collected From Other Sources
Publix may receive information from third parties to help update records, identify new customers, collect information on their behalf, and prevent fraud. This includes information from social media platforms, websites, and third-party applications when you interact with Publix on them or use social media login credentials. The received information may include identifiers, demographics, education, address, internet activity, and inferred preferences, depending on the third-party platform’s privacy settings.
Information Collected Automatically
When you use the Services, Publix or third parties may employ cookies and similar technologies to gather data on how you access and interact with the Services, emails, and online advertising. This is done to ensure Services function correctly, improve them, support marketing campaigns (including targeted advertising), understand customer behavior, and personalize your experience. Collected data may include IP address, device/browser type, operating system, referring websites, mobile device identifiers, advertising identifiers, session times, interaction data, and viewed content.
Information Collected From Mobile Devices
Accessing Services via a mobile device may lead to the collection of information such as device type, unique identifiers, IP address, operating system, browser, usage patterns, and location data. Mobile applications may request camera and photo file access for features like scanning barcodes or taking product images to create shopping lists or conduct transactions. Access to some features may depend on granting these permissions.
Location Information
Mobile applications and websites may collect precise device location data (via Bluetooth beacons, GPS, Wi-Fi, or cell tower signals) after you grant permission. This data is used to provide location-based services, content, and offers, such as nearby store locations and deals. You can opt out of precise location collection by adjusting mobile device permissions or uninstalling applications. However, Publix has no control over device settings, and other parties may still be able to gather location information.
Protected Health Information (PHI)
For pharmacy customers, health information is protected in accordance with Publix’s HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
Information You Provide About Others
If you provide information about others (e.g., a gift recipient’s name and address), Publix will use it solely for the specified purpose.
Why Publix Collects Your Information
Publix uses collected information for purposes permitted by law, including:
- Fulfilling requests for products, programs, or services.
- Completing and managing purchases, orders, refunds, returns, and exchanges.
- Responding to inquiries.
- Offering products, programs, or services of potential interest.
- Achieving the purposes for which information was provided.
- Conducting surveys, research, analysis, or market studies.
- Operating, evaluating, and enhancing business operations.
- Preventing or detecting fraud.
- Delivering promotional and marketing communications, including targeted advertisements based on your online activity.
- Creating and delivering personalized content, offers, services, and advertising.
- Maintaining accounts like Club Publix or GreenWise Markets.
- Conducting promotional activities, including contests.
- Communicating regarding accounts, purchases, or other issues.
- Protecting the rights or safety of individuals.
- Complying with legal requirements, contractual obligations, industry standards, and policies.
Information may be combined from various sources. Non-personal, aggregate statistics or demographic information may be used and disclosed without restriction.
How Publix May Disclose Your Information
Publix may share collected personal information in the following circumstances:
- Business Partners and Advertisers: For marketing and advertising purposes, but Publix does not monetize personal information by selling or renting it for monetary compensation.
- Service Providers: To perform functions on Publix’s behalf (e.g., hosting Services, fulfilling orders, processing payments). Providers receive only necessary information.
- Anonymized Information: With third parties after it has been altered, combined, or processed to prevent individual identification.
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, regulation, court order, subpoena, or other regulatory requirement.
- Protection and Investigation: If disclosure is deemed necessary or appropriate to comply with law, operate Services, protect rights/property/safety, prevent harm, or in connection with investigating unlawful activity.
- Subsidiaries and Affiliates: Shared subject to the terms of this Policy.
- Business Transfers: In association with any potential or actual sale or transfer of business assets.
- With Your Consent: As necessary to fulfill the purposes for which information was collected.
Sharing will be limited in accordance with your choices and applicable law.
Public Information
Content posted on public forums within the Services may be publicly available, searchable by search engines, and replicable by third parties, over whom Publix has no control. Users are advised to exercise caution before posting information.
Your Options Regarding Your Information
Publix offers choices regarding information collection, use, disclosure, and communication:
- Opt-out of Marketing: Stop receiving marketing or promotional emails, direct mail, phone, and mobile communications.
- Update Information: Correct and update the information you provide.
- Cancel Account/Cease Use: Request account cancellation or that your information no longer be used to provide services.
To exercise these choices, you can:
- Follow opt-out instructions in marketing communications.
- Log in to your Publix Account at https://www.publix.com/myaccount/ to update information or preferences.
- Modify information in the area of the Services where you signed up for a program.
- Call 800-242-1227 with your request and contact information.
- Contact Publix online with your request and contact information.
Opting out of one type of communication may not affect others unless specified. Publix may retain information for business purposes, such as backups, analysis, legal requirements, and data retention policies, even if you request it no longer be used to provide services.
Pharmacy customers have rights regarding PHI, including access to records, as detailed in the Pharmacy Notice of Privacy Practices. Virginia residents have additional privacy rights under applicable law, detailed in the Virginia Privacy Notice.
Cookies, Tracking Technologies, and Interest-Based Advertising
By using the Services, you consent to the use of cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies. These are used to customize your experience, improve Services, identify areas of customer interest, and troubleshoot issues. Most browsers accept cookies by default, but you can disable this feature through your browser’s online documentation. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality and personalization of the Services. You can exercise choices regarding online advertising companies via third-party tools at http://www.aboutads.info/choices/.
Publix may use technologies to track content views, email opens, and the effectiveness of advertising. Google Analytics is used to understand Service usage; learn more at https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/.
The Services are not designed to respond to “do not track” requests. Information on this is available at www.allaboutdnt.org. You can opt out of interest-based advertising from third-party providers following the Digital Advertising Alliance’s principles at www.aboutads.info/choices/.
Third-Party Content and Activities
The Services may link to or embed third-party content. Their information practices may differ from Publix’s. It is recommended to consult the privacy policies of third-party providers, as Publix does not control the information they collect, use, or share. Third parties may collect information directly from your browser when obtaining integrated content. Some third parties may use tracking technologies to monitor your online activities across various websites and services.
Security
Publix employs administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect collected information. However, absolute security cannot be guaranteed. Publix is not responsible for the security of information transmitted over networks it does not control. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your username and password and release Publix from liability related to their disclosure. Publix may suspend or terminate accounts or require password changes if security is compromised. Legally required disclosures of personal information compromises will be made, potentially via email or conspicuous posting on the Services.
Protecting Children’s Privacy
Publix does not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information without consent, please contact Publix.
International Data Transfers and Use
The Services are controlled and operated from the United States. Information provided may be stored, processed, and accessed in countries that may not offer the same level of data protection as your residence. Publix will handle your personal information in accordance with this Policy regardless of its storage or access location.
Contacting Us
For questions about the Privacy Policy, privacy practices, or to update information or preferences, please contact Publix.
