10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

Commission File Number 0-00981

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Florida	59-0324412
(State of Incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3300 Publix Corporate Parkway
Lakeland, Florida	33811
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (863) 688-1188

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock $1.00 Par Value

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes    X              No       

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.      Yes              No      X  

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.      Yes    X              No       

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).

    Yes    X               No       

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (    )

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

    Large accelerated filer   X   Accelerated filer        Non-accelerated filer        Smaller reporting company       

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

    Yes                     No    X  

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $8,232,213,000 as of June 24, 2011, the last trading day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 7, 2012 was 778,373,000.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

The information required by Part III of this report, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement solicited for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 17, 2012.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
	PART I
Item 1.	Business		1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		2
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments		4
Item 2.	Properties		4
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings		4
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		4
	Executive Officers of the Company		5
	PART II
Item 5.	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		6
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data		9
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		10
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		16
	Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting		18
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		19
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		43
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures		43
Item 9B.	Other Information		43
	PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		43
Item 11.	Executive Compensation		43
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		43
Item 13.	Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence		43
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services		43
	PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules		44

PART I

Item 1.  Business

Publix Super Markets, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are in the primary business of operating retail food supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Company was founded in 1930 and later merged into another corporation that was originally incorporated in 1921. The Company has no other significant lines of business or industry segments.

Merchandising and manufacturing

The Company sells grocery (including dairy, produce, deli, bakery, meat and seafood), health and beauty care, general merchandise, pharmacy, floral and other products and services. The percentage of consolidated sales by merchandise category for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

	2011		2010		2009
Grocery		86%		85%		85%
Other		14%		15%		15%
		100%		100%		100%

The Company’s lines of merchandise include a variety of nationally advertised and private label brands as well as unbranded merchandise such as produce, meat and seafood. The Company receives the food and non-food products it distributes from many sources. These products are delivered to the supermarkets through Company distribution centers or directly from the suppliers and are generally available in sufficient quantities to enable the Company to adequately satisfy its customers. Approximately 72% of the total cost of products purchased is delivered to the supermarkets through the Company’s distribution centers. The Company believes that its sources of supply of these products and raw materials used in manufacturing are adequate for its needs and that it is not dependent upon a single supplier or relatively few suppliers. Private label items are produced in the Company’s dairy, bakery and deli manufacturing facilities or are manufactured for the Company by outside suppliers.

The Company has experienced no significant changes in the kinds of products sold or in its methods of distribution since the beginning of the fiscal year.

Store operations

The Company operated 1,046 supermarkets at the end of 2011, compared with 1,034 at the beginning of the year. In 2011, 29 supermarkets were opened (including 11 replacement supermarkets) and 126 supermarkets were remodeled. Seventeen supermarkets were closed during the same period. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2011 replaced 11 of the 17 supermarkets closed during the same period. Five of the remaining supermarkets closed in 2011 will be replaced in subsequent periods, all of which will be replaced on site. Net new supermarkets added 0.6 million square feet in 2011, an increase of 1.3%. At the end of 2011, the Company had 743 supermarkets located in Florida, 179 in Georgia, 49 in Alabama, 45 in South Carolina and 30 in Tennessee. Also, as of year end, the Company had 10 supermarkets under construction in Florida and two each in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

Competition

The Company is engaged in the highly competitive retail food industry. Competition is based primarily on quality of goods and service, price, convenience, product mix and store location. The Company’s primary competition throughout its market areas is with several national and regional supermarket chains, independent supermarkets, supercenters, membership warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, dollar stores, drug stores, specialty food stores, restaurants and convenience stores. The Company anticipates continued competitor format innovation and location additions in 2012.

Working capital

The Company’s working capital at the end of 2011 consisted of $2,803.2 million in current assets and $2,050.8 million in current liabilities. Normal operating fluctuations in these balances can result in changes to cash flows from operating activities presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows that are not necessarily indicative of long-term operating trends. There are no unusual industry practices or requirements relating to working capital items.

1

Seasonality

The historical influx of winter residents to Florida and increased purchases of products during the traditional Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays typically result in seasonal sales increases between November and April of each year.

Employees

The Company had 152,000 employees at the end of 2011, 71,000 on a full-time basis and 81,000 on a part-time basis. By comparison, the Company had 148,000 employees at the end of 2010, 70,000 on a full-time basis and 78,000 on a part-time basis. The Company considers its employee relations to be good.

Intellectual property

The Company’s trademarks, trade names, copyrights and similar intellectual property are important to the success of the Company’s business. Numerous trademarks, including “Publix” and “Where Shopping is a Pleasure,” have been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Due to the importance of its intellectual property to its business, the Company actively defends and enforces its rights to such property.

Environmental matters

Compliance by the Company with federal, state and local environmental protection laws during 2011 had no material effect upon capital expenditures, results of operations or the competitive position of the Company.

Company information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the 2012 Proxy Statement will be mailed on or about March 15, 2012 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 7, 2012. These reports as well as Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports may also be obtained electronically, free of charge, through the Company’s website at www.publix.com/stock.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company’s business. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.

Increased competition and low profit margins could adversely affect the Company.

The retail food industry in which the Company operates is highly competitive with low profit margins. The Company’s competitors include national and regional supermarket chains, independent supermarkets, supercenters, membership warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, dollar stores, drug stores, specialty food stores, restaurants and convenience stores. The Company’s ability to attract and retain customers is based primarily on quality of goods and service, price, convenience, product mix and store location. The Company believes it will face increased competition in the future from all of these competitors and its financial condition and results of operations could be impacted by the pricing, purchasing, advertising or promotional decisions made by its competitors.

General economic and other conditions that impact consumer spending could adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s results of operations are sensitive to changes in general economic conditions that impact consumer spending. Adverse economic conditions, including high unemployment, significant home foreclosures, declines in the stock market and the instability of the credit markets, could continue to cause a reduction in consumer spending. Other conditions that could also affect disposable consumer income include increases in tax rates, increases in fuel and energy costs, the impact of natural disasters or acts of terrorism, and other factors. This reduction in the level of consumer spending could cause customers to purchase lower-profit items or to shift spending to lower-priced competitors, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Increased operating costs could adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s operations tend to be more labor intensive than some of its competitors due to the additional customer service offered in its supermarkets. Consequently, uncertain labor markets, government mandated increases in the minimum wage or other benefits, an increased proportion of full-time employees, increased costs of health care due to health insurance reform or other factors could result in an increase in labor costs. In addition, the inability to improve or manage operating costs, such as payroll, facilities, or other non-product related costs, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

2

Failure to execute on the Company’s core strategies could adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s core strategies focus on customer service, product quality, shopping environment, competitive pricing and convenient locations. The Company has implemented several strategic business and technology initiatives as part of the execution of these core strategies. The Company believes these core strategies and related strategic initiatives differentiate it from its competition and present opportunities for increased market share and sustained financial growth. Failure to execute on these core strategies, or a failure to execute the core strategies on a cost effective basis, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to identify and obtain or retain suitable supermarket sites could adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s ability to obtain sites for new supermarkets and, to a lesser extent, acquire existing supermarket locations is dependent on identifying and entering into lease or purchase agreements on commercially reasonable terms for properties that are suitable for its needs. If the Company fails to identify suitable sites and enter into lease or purchase agreements on a timely basis for any reason, including competition from other companies seeking similar sites, the Company’s growth could be adversely affected because it may be unable to open new supermarkets as anticipated. Similarly, its business could be adversely affected if it is unable to renew the leases on its existing supermarkets on commercially reasonable terms.

Disruptions in information technology systems or a security breach could adversely affect the Company.

The Company is dependent on complex information technology systems to operate its business, enhance customer service, improve the efficiency of its supply chain and increase employee efficiency. The Company’s information technology systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, catastrophic events and user errors. The Company’s information technology systems are also subject to security breaches, including cyber security breaches and breaches of transaction processing, that could result in the compromise of confidential customer data, including debit and credit cardholder data. Any disruptions in information technology systems or a security breach could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Unexpected changes in the insurance market or factors affecting self-insurance reserve estimates could adversely affect the Company.

The Company uses a combination of insurance coverage and self-insurance to provide for potential liability for workers’ compensation, general liability, property losses, fleet liability, employee benefits and directors and officers liability. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to maintain its insurance coverage or obtain comparable insurance coverage at a reasonable cost. Self-insurance reserves are determined based on actual claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported including, where necessary, actuarial studies. Actuarial projections of losses are subject to a high degree of variability caused by, but not limited to, such factors as future interest and inflation rates, future economic conditions, litigation trends and benefit level changes. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by an increase in the frequency or costs of claims and changes in actuarial assumptions.

Product liability claims, product recalls and the resulting unfavorable publicity could adversely affect the Company.

The packaging, marketing, distribution and sale of grocery, drug and other products purchased from suppliers or manufactured by the Company entails an inherent risk of product liability claims, product recall and the resulting adverse publicity. Such products may contain contaminants that may be inadvertently distributed by the Company. These contaminants may, in certain cases, result in illness, injury or death if processing at the consumer level does not eliminate the contaminants. Even an inadvertent shipment of adulterated products is a violation of law and may lead to a product recall and/or an increased risk of exposure to product liability claims. There can be no assurance that such claims will not be asserted against the Company or that the Company will not be obligated to perform product recalls in the future. If a product liability claim is successful, the Company’s insurance coverage may not be adequate to pay all liabilities and it may not be able to continue to maintain such insurance coverage or obtain comparable insurance coverage at a reasonable cost. If the Company does not have adequate insurance coverage or contractual indemnification available, product liability claims relating to defective products could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to successfully market its products and on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, even if a product liability claim is not successful or is not fully pursued, the adverse publicity surrounding any assertion that the Company’s products caused illness or injury could have an adverse effect on the Company’s reputation with existing and potential customers and on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

3

Unfavorable changes in, failure to comply with or increased costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company.

The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern activities that may have adverse environmental effects and impose liabilities for the costs of contamination cleanup and damages arising from sites of past spills, disposals or other releases of hazardous materials. Under current environmental laws, the Company may be held responsible for the remediation of environmental conditions regardless of whether the Company leases, subleases or owns the supermarkets or other facilities and regardless of whether such environmental conditions were created by the Company or a prior owner or tenant. The costs of investigation, remediation or removal of environmental conditions may be substantial. In addition, the increased focus on climate change, waste management and other environmental issues may result in new environmental laws or regulations that negatively affect the Company directly or indirectly through increased costs on its suppliers. There can be no assurance that environmental conditions relating to prior, existing or future sites or other environmental changes will not adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations through, for instance, business interruption, cost of remediation or adverse publicity.

Unfavorable changes in, failure to comply with or increased costs to comply with laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company.

In addition to environmental laws and regulations, the Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to, among other things, product safety, zoning, land use, workplace safety, public health, accessibility and restrictions on the sale of various products including alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs. The Company is also subject to laws governing its relationship with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, labor, working conditions, disabled access and work permit requirements. Compliance with, or changes in, these laws, as well as passage of new laws and the inability to deal with increased government regulation, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Unfavorable results of legal proceedings could adversely affect the Company.

The Company is a party in various legal claims and actions considered in the normal course of business including labor and employment, personal injury, intellectual property and other issues. Although not currently anticipated by management, the results of pending or future legal proceedings could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None

Item 2.  Properties

At year end, the Company operated approximately 48.7 million square feet of supermarket space. The Company’s supermarkets vary in size. Current supermarket prototypes range from 28,000 to 61,000 square feet. Supermarkets are often located in strip shopping centers where the Company is the anchor tenant. The majority of the Company’s supermarkets are leased. Substantially all of these leases will expire during the next 20 years. However, in the normal course of business, it is expected that the leases will be renewed or replaced by leases on other properties. Both the building and land are owned at 120 locations. The building is owned while the land is leased at 48 other locations.

The Company supplies its supermarkets from eight primary distribution centers located in Lakeland, Miami, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Orlando, Deerfield Beach and Boynton Beach, Florida and Lawrenceville, Georgia. The Company operates six manufacturing facilities including three dairy plants located in Lakeland and Deerfield Beach, Florida and Lawrenceville, Georgia, two bakery plants located in Lakeland, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia and a deli plant located in Lakeland, Florida.

The Company’s corporate offices, primary distribution centers and manufacturing facilities are owned with no outstanding debt. The Company’s properties are well maintained, in good operating condition and suitable and adequate for operating its business.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

The Company is a party in various legal claims and actions considered in the normal course of business. The Company believes its recorded reserves are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities. The estimated amount of reasonably possible losses for claims, individually and in the aggregate, is considered to be immaterial. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

None

4

Executive Officers of the Company

Name	Age	Business Experience During Last Five Years	Served as Officer of Company Since
John A. Attaway, Jr.	53	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company.	2000
Hoyt R. Barnett	68	Vice Chairman of the Company and Trustee of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.	1977
David E. Bornmann	54	Vice President of the Company.	1998
David E. Bridges	62	Vice President of the Company.	2000
Scott E. Brubaker	53	Vice President of the Company.	2005
Jeffrey G. Chamberlain	55	Director of Real Estate Strategy of the Company to January 2011, Vice President thereafter.	2011
William E. Crenshaw	61	President of the Company to March 2008, Chief Executive Officer thereafter.	1990
Joseph DiBenedetto, Jr.	52	Regional Director of Retail Operations of the Company to January 2011, Vice President thereafter.	2011
G. Gino DiGrazia	49	Vice President and Controller of the Company.	2002
Laurie Z. Douglas	48	Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company.	2006
David S. Duncan	58	Vice President of the Company.	1999
Sandra J. Estep	52	Vice President and Controller of the Company.	2002
William V. Fauerbach	65	Vice President of the Company.	1997
Linda S. Hall	52	Vice President of the Company.	2002
M. Clayton Hollis, Jr.	55	Vice President of the Company.	1994
John T. Hrabusa	56	Senior Vice President of the Company.	2004
Mark R. Irby	56	Vice President of the Company.	1989
Randall T. Jones, Sr.	49	Senior Vice President of the Company to March 2008, President thereafter.	2003
Linda S. Kane	46	Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Company.	2000
Thomas M. McLaughlin	61	Vice President of the Company.	1994
Dale S. Myers	59	Vice President of the Company.	2001
Alfred J. Ottolino	46	Vice President of the Company.	2004
David P. Phillips	52	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company.	1990
Charles B. Roskovich, Jr.	50	Regional Director of Retail Operations of the Company to January 2008, Vice President to January 2011, Senior Vice President thereafter.	2008
Marc H. Salm	51	Director and Counsel of Risk Management of the Company to June 2008, Vice President thereafter.	2008
Richard J. Schuler II	56	Vice President of the Company.	2000
Michael R. Smith	52	Vice President of the Company.	2005

The terms of all officers expire in May 2012 or upon the election of their successors.

5

PART II

Item 5.  Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(a) Market Information

The Company’s common stock is not traded on an established securities market. Therefore, substantially all transactions of the Company’s common stock have been among the Company, its employees, former employees, their families and the benefit plans established for the Company’s employees. The Company’s common stock is made available for sale only to the Company’s current employees through the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and to participants of the Company’s 401(k) Plan. In addition, common stock is made available under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Common stock is also made available for sale to members of the Company’s Board of Directors through the Non-Employee Directors Stock Purchase Plan (Directors Plan). The Company currently repurchases common stock subject to certain terms and conditions. The ESPP, 401(k) Plan, ESOP and Directors Plan each contain provisions prohibiting any transfer for value without the owner first offering the common stock to the Company. The Company serves as the registrar and stock transfer agent for its common stock.

Because there is no trading of the Company’s common stock on an established securities market, the market price of the Company’s common stock is determined by its Board of Directors. As part of the process to determine the stock value, an independent valuation is obtained. The process includes comparing the Company’s financial results to those of comparable companies that are publicly traded (comparable publicly traded companies). The purpose of the process is to determine a value for the Company’s common stock that is comparable to the stock value of comparable publicly traded companies by considering both the results of the stock market and the relative financial results of comparable publicly traded companies. The market prices for the Company’s common stock for 2011 and 2010 were as follows:

	2011		2010
January - February	$	19.85		16.30
March - April		20.90		17.35
May - July		21.65		18.50
August - October		22.05		18.45
November - December		20.20		19.85

(b) Approximate Number of Equity Security Holders

As of February 7, 2012, the approximate number of holders of the Company’s common stock was 152,000.

(c) Dividends

The Company paid an annual cash dividend on its common stock of $0.53 per share in 2011 and $0.46 per share in 2010. Payment of dividends is within the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and depends on, among other factors, net earnings, capital requirements and the financial condition of the Company. It is believed that comparable cash dividends will be paid in the future.

6

(d) Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company during the three months ended December 31, 2011 were as follows (amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Total Number of Shares		Average Price Paid per		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or
Period	Purchased		Share		Programs (1)	Programs (1)
September 25, 2011 through
October 29, 2011		1,025		$22.05	N/A	N/A
October 30, 2011 through
November 26, 2011		2,766		20.22	N/A	N/A
November 27, 2011 through
December 31, 2011		1,920		20.20	N/A	N/A
Total		5,711		$20.54	N/A	N/A

⁽¹⁾ Common stock is made available for sale only to the Company’s current employees through the Company’s ESPP and to participants of the Company’s 401(k) Plan. In addition, common stock is made available under the ESOP. Common stock is also made available for sale to members of the Company’s Board of Directors through the Directors Plan. The Company currently repurchases common stock subject to certain terms and conditions. The ESPP, 401(k) Plan, ESOP and Directors Plan each contain provisions prohibiting any transfer for value without the owner first offering the common stock to the Company.

The Company’s common stock is not traded on an established securities market. The amount of common stock offered to the Company for repurchase is not within the control of the Company, but is at the discretion of the stockholders. The Company does not believe that these repurchases of its common stock are within the scope of a publicly announced plan or program (although the terms of the plans discussed above have been communicated to the participants). Thus, the Company does not believe that it has made any repurchases during the three months ended December 31, 2011 required to be disclosed in the last two columns of the table.

7

(e) Performance Graph

The following performance graph sets forth the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return during the five years ended December 31, 2011, compared to the cumulative total return on the S&P 500 Index and a custom Peer Group Index including retail food supermarket companies.⁽¹⁾ The Peer Group Index is weighted based on the various companies’ market capitalization. The comparison assumes $100 was invested at the end of 2006 in the Company’s common stock and in each of the related indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends.

The Company’s common stock is valued as of the end of each fiscal quarter. After the end of a quarter, however, shares continue to be traded at the prior valuation until the new valuation is received. The cumulative total return for the companies represented in the S&P 500 Index and the custom Peer Group Index is based on those companies’ calendar year end trading price. The following performance graph is based on the Company’s trading price at fiscal year end based on its market price as of the prior fiscal quarter. Because the Company’s fiscal year end valuation of the Company’s shares is effective after the date this document is to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a performance graph based on the fiscal year end valuation (market price as of March 1, 2012) is not presented below. Rather, for comparative purposes, a performance graph based on the fiscal year end valuation is provided in the 2012 Proxy Statement.

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Return Based Upon Year End Trading Price

⁽¹⁾ Companies included in the Peer Group are: Ahold, Delhaize Group, Kroger, Safeway, Supervalu, Weis Markets and Winn-Dixie.

8

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

	2011(1)		2010		2009			2008		2007
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts and number of supermarkets.)
Sales:
Sales		$26,967,389		25,134,054		24,319,716			23,929,064		23,016,568
Percent change		7.3%		3.3%		1.6%			4.0%		6.3%
Comparable store sales percent change		4.1%		2.3%		(3.2%	)		1.3%		4.3%
Earnings:
Gross profit (2)		$  7,447,019		7,022,611		6,727,037			6,442,241		6,210,739
Earnings before income tax expense		$  2,261,773		2,039,418		1,774,714			1,651,412		1,817,573
Net earnings		$  1,491,966		1,338,147		1,161,442			1,089,770		1,183,925
Net earnings as a percent of sales		5.5%		5.3%		4.8%			4.6%		5.1%
Common stock:
Weighted average shares outstanding		784,815		786,378		788,835			818,248		840,523
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$           1.90		1.70		1.47			1.33		1.41
Cash dividends per share		$           0.53		0.46		0.41			0.44		0.40
Financial data:
Capital expenditures		$     602,952		468,530		693,489			1,289,707		683,290
Working capital		$     752,464		771,918		469,260			232,809		319,826
Current ratio		1.37		1.37		1.24			1.13		1.18
Total assets		$11,268,232		10,159,087		9,004,292			8,089,672		8,053,157
Long-term debt (including current portion)		$     134,584		149,361		99,326			71,940		35,482
Common stock related to ESOP		$  2,137,217		2,016,696		1,862,350			1,777,153		1,729,498
Total equity		$  8,341,457		7,305,592		6,303,538			5,643,298		5,642,186
Supermarkets		1,046		1,034		1,014			993		926

⁽¹⁾ Fiscal year 2011 includes 53 weeks. All other years include 52 weeks.

⁽²⁾ Gross profit represents sales less cost of merchandise sold as reported in the consolidated statements of earnings.

9

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

The Company is primarily engaged in the retail food industry, operating supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Company has no other significant lines of business or industry segments. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated 1,046 supermarkets including 743 located in Florida, 179 in Georgia, 49 in Alabama, 45 in South Carolina and 30 in Tennessee. In 2011, 29 supermarkets were opened (including 11 replacement supermarkets) and 126 supermarkets were remodeled. Seventeen supermarkets were closed during the same period. The Company opened 20 supermarkets in Florida, four in Alabama, two in South Carolina, two in Georgia and one in Tennessee during 2011. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2011 replaced 11 of the 17 supermarkets closed during the same period. Five of the remaining supermarkets closed in 2011 will be replaced in subsequent periods, all of which will be replaced on site.

The Company’s revenues are earned and cash is generated as merchandise is sold to customers. Income is earned by selling merchandise at price levels that produce sales revenues in excess of the cost of merchandise sold and operating and administrative expenses. The Company has generally been able to increase revenues and net earnings from year to year. Further, the Company has been able to meet its cash requirements from internally generated funds without the need to generate cash through debt financing. The Company’s year end cash balances are significantly impacted by capital expenditures, investment transactions, stock repurchases and payment of the annual cash dividend.

The Company sells a variety of merchandise to generate revenues. This merchandise includes grocery (including dairy, produce, deli, bakery, meat and seafood), health and beauty care, general merchandise and other products and services. Most of the Company’s supermarkets also have pharmacy and floral departments. Merchandise includes a mix of nationally advertised and private label brands. The Company’s private label brands play an increasingly important role in its merchandising strategy.

Operating Environment

The Company is engaged in the highly competitive retail food industry. Competition is based primarily on quality of goods and service, price, convenience, product mix and store location. In addition, the Company competes with other retailers for additional retail site locations. The Company competes with retailers as well as other labor market competitors in attracting and retaining quality employees. The Company’s primary competition throughout its market areas is with several national and regional traditional supermarket chains, independent supermarkets and specialty food stores as well as non-traditional competition such as supercenters, membership warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, dollar stores, drug stores, restaurants and convenience stores. As a result of the highly competitive environment, traditional supermarkets, including the Company, face business challenges. There has been a trend in recent years for traditional supermarkets to lose market share to non-traditional competition. The success of the Company, in particular its ability to retain its customers, depends on its ability to meet the business challenges created by this competitive environment.

In order to meet the competitive challenges facing the Company, management continues to focus on the Company’s core strategies, including customer service, product quality, shopping environment, competitive pricing and convenient locations. The Company has implemented several strategic business and technology initiatives as part of the execution of these core strategies. The Company believes these core strategies and related strategic initiatives differentiate it from its competition and present opportunities for increased market share and sustained financial growth.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments totaled $4,620.1 million as of December 31, 2011, as compared with $3,701.9 million as of December 25, 2010. This increase is primarily due to the Company generating cash from operating activities of $2,341.2 million for 2011 of which $1,221.7 million was invested in short-term and long-term investments.

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,341.2 million for 2011, as compared with $2,266.0 million and $1,998.2 million for 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2011 as compared with 2010 was primarily due to an increase in net earnings of $153.8 million. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2010 as compared with 2009 was primarily due to an increase in net earnings of $176.7 million. Any net cash in excess of the amount needed for current operations is invested in short-term and long-term investments.

10

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $1,819.4 million for 2011, as compared with $1,408.7 million and $1,045.4 million for 2010 and 2009, respectively. The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2011 was funding capital expenditures and net increases in investment securities. Capital expenditures for 2011 totaled $603.0 million. These expenditures were incurred in connection with the opening of 29 new supermarkets (including 11 replacement supermarkets) and remodeling 126 supermarkets. Seventeen supermarkets were closed during 2011. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2011 replaced 11 of the 17 supermarkets closed during the same period. Five of the remaining supermarkets closed in 2011 will be replaced in subsequent periods, all of which will be replaced on site. Net new supermarkets added 0.6 million square feet in 2011, an increase of 1.3%. Expenditures were also incurred for the acquisition of shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant and new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications. For the same period, the payment for investments, net of the proceeds from the sale and maturity of such investments, was $1,221.7 million.

The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2010 was funding capital expenditures and net increases in investment securities. Capital expenditures for 2010 totaled $468.5 million. These expenditures were incurred in connection with the opening of 41 new supermarkets (including 21 replacement supermarkets) and remodeling 115 supermarkets. Twenty-one supermarkets were closed during 2010. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2010 replaced 19 of the 21 supermarkets closed during the same period and two supermarkets closed in 2009. The remaining two supermarkets closed in 2010 were not replaced. New supermarkets opened included five of the remaining Florida supermarket locations acquired from Albertson’s LLC (Albertson’s) not opened in 2008 or 2009. Net new supermarkets added 1.1 million square feet in 2010, an increase of 2.4%. Expenditures were also incurred for new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications. For the same period, the payment for investments, net of the proceeds from the sale and maturity of such investments, was $943.0 million.

The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2009 was funding capital expenditures and net increases in investment securities. Capital expenditures for 2009 totaled $693.5 million. These expenditures were incurred in connection with the opening of 48 new supermarkets (including 15 replacement supermarkets) and remodeling 85 supermarkets. Twenty-seven supermarkets were closed during 2009. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2009 replaced 14 of the 27 supermarkets closed during the same period and one supermarket closed in 2008. Two of the remaining supermarkets closed in 2009 were opened as replacement supermarkets in 2010 and the other 11 supermarkets were not replaced. Both replacement supermarkets opened in 2010 from supermarkets closed in 2009 were replaced on site. New supermarkets opened included 17 of the remaining 25 Florida supermarket locations acquired from Albertson’s not opened in 2008. Net new supermarkets added 1.3 million square feet in 2009, an increase of 2.7%. Expenditures were also incurred for the construction of a second data center, expansion of warehouses and new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications. For the same period, the payment for investments, net of the proceeds from the sale and maturity of such investments, was $356.1 million.

Capital expenditure projection

In 2012, the Company plans to open 30 supermarkets. Although real estate development is unpredictable, the Company’s 2012 new store growth represents a reasonable estimate of anticipated future growth. Capital expenditures for 2012 are expected to be approximately $730 million, primarily consisting of new supermarkets, remodeling certain existing supermarkets, expansion of warehouses, new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications and the acquisition of certain shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. The shopping center acquisitions are financed with internally generated funds and assumed debt, if prepayment penalties for the debt are determined to be significant. This capital program is subject to continuing change and review. In the normal course of operations, the Company replaces supermarkets and closes supermarkets that are not meeting performance expectations. The impact of future supermarket closings is not expected to be material.

Net cash used in financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $760.8 million in 2011, as compared with $621.9 million and $784.1 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The primary use of net cash in financing activities was funding net common stock repurchases and payment of the annual cash dividend. Net common stock repurchases totaled $291.3 million in 2011, as compared with $257.3 million and $477.4 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company currently repurchases common stock at the stockholders’ request in accordance with the terms of the Company’s ESPP, 401(k) Plan, ESOP and Directors Plan. The amount of common stock offered to the Company for repurchase is not within the control of the Company, but is at the discretion of the stockholders. The Company expects to continue to repurchase its common stock, as offered by its stockholders from time to time, at its then current value for amounts similar to those in prior years. However, with the exception of certain shares distributed from the ESOP, such purchases are not required and the Company retains the right to discontinue them at any time.

11

Dividends

The Company paid an annual cash dividend on its common stock of $0.53 per share or $418.7 million, $0.46 per share or $364.1 million and $0.41 per share or $325.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Cash requirements

In 2012, the cash requirements for current operations, capital expenditures, common stock repurchases and payment of the annual cash dividend are expected to be financed by internally generated funds or liquid assets. Based on the Company’s financial position, it is expected that short-term and long-term borrowings would be available to support the Company’s liquidity requirements, if needed.

Contractual Obligations

Following is a summary of contractual obligations as of December 31, 2011:

	Payments Due by Period
					2013-		2015-		There-
	Total		2012		2014		2016		after
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Contractual obligations:
Operating leases (1)	$	4,261,198		419,541		780,139		676,315		2,385,203
Purchase obligations (2)(3)(4)		1,856,700		829,504		266,482		183,767		576,947
Other long-term liabilities:
Self-insurance reserves (5)		345,229		125,569		101,346		37,261		81,053
Accrued postretirement benefit cost (6)		107,624		4,029		8,830		9,778		84,987
Long-term debt (7)		134,584		15,124		83,721		17,807		17,932
Other		16,364		500		382		450		15,032
Total	$	6,721,699		1,394,267		1,240,900		925,378		3,161,154

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

⁽¹⁾  For a more detailed description of the operating lease obligations, refer to Note 8(a) Commitments and Contingencies - Operating Leases in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

⁽²⁾  Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Company and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, fixed, minimum or variable price provisions and the approximate timing of the transaction. Purchase obligations exclude agreements that are cancelable within 30 days without penalty.

⁽³⁾  As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $10.2 million outstanding in trade letters of credit and $3.7 million in standby letters of credit to support certain of these purchase obligations.

⁽⁴⁾  Purchase obligations include $1,062.8 million in real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance commitments related to operating leases. The actual amounts to be paid are variable and have been estimated based on current costs.

⁽⁵⁾  As of December 31, 2011, the Company had a restricted trust account in the amount of $170.0 million for the benefit of the Company’s insurance carrier to support this obligation.

⁽⁶⁾  For a more detailed description of the postretirement benefit obligations, refer to Note 5 Postretirement Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

⁽⁷⁾  For a more detailed description of the long-term debt obligations, refer to Note 4 Consolidation of Joint Ventures and Long-Term Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

12

Results of Operations

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal year 2011 includes 53 weeks and fiscal years 2010 and 2009 include 52 weeks.

Sales

Sales for 2011 were $27.0 billion as compared with $25.1 billion in 2010, an increase of $1,833.3 million or a 7.3% increase. The Company estimates that its sales increased $485.2 million or 1.9% from the additional week in 2011, $317.6 million or 1.3% from new supermarkets (excluding replacement supermarkets) and $1,030.5 million or 4.1% from comparable store sales (supermarkets open for the same weeks in both periods, including replacement supermarkets). Sales for supermarkets that are replaced on site are classified as new supermarket sales since the replacement period for the supermarket is generally 9 to 12 months. Comparable store sales for 2011 increased primarily due to product cost inflation and increased customer counts resulting from a better economic climate.

Sales for 2010 were $25.1 billion as compared with $24.3 billion in 2009, an increase of $814.3 million or a 3.3% increase. The Company estimates that its sales increased $254.9 million or 1.0% from new supermarkets and $559.4 million or 2.3% from comparable store sales. Comparable store sales for 2010 increased primarily due to increased customer counts resulting from a better economic climate.

Sales for 2009 were $24.3 billion as compared with $23.9 billion in 2008, an increase of $390.7 million or a 1.6% increase. The Company estimates that its sales increased $1,156.4 million or 4.8% from new supermarkets and decreased $765.7 million or 3.2% from comparable store sales. Comparable store sales were negatively impacted by the economic downturn, deflationary pressures and the large number of the Company’s supermarkets opened during the fourth quarter of 2008 that were located near existing supermarkets.

Gross profit

Gross profit (sales less cost of merchandise sold) as a percentage of sales was 27.6%, 27.9% and 27.7% in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of sales for 2011 as compared with 2010 was primarily due to an increase in the last-in, first-out (LIFO) reserve and product cost increases some of which were not passed on to customers. Gross profit as a percentage of sales for 2010 as compared with 2009 remained relatively unchanged.

Operating and administrative expenses

Operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 20.5%, 21.1% and 21.6% in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for 2011 as compared with 2010 was primarily due to incremental sales from the additional week in 2011. Excluding the effect of the incremental sales from the additional week, operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales would have been 20.9%. The decrease in operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for 2010 as compared with 2009 was primarily due to decreases in rent, payroll, utilities and repairs and maintenance expenses as a percentage of sales. Rent expense decreased 0.2% of sales primarily due to a decrease in rent related to closed supermarkets; payroll expense decreased 0.1% of sales primarily due to more effective scheduling; utilities expense decreased 0.1% of sales primarily due to lower electric rates; and repairs and maintenance expense decreased 0.1% of sales primarily due to better expense control.

Investment income, net

Investment income, net was $93.0 million, $91.8 million and $68.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in investment income, net for 2011 as compared with 2010 was primarily due to an increase in dividend income partially offset by other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities. The increase in investment income, net for 2010 as compared with 2009 was primarily due to a decrease in OTTI losses on equity securities.

The Company recorded OTTI losses on equity securities of $6.1 million and $19.3 million in 2011 and 2009, respectively. There were no OTTI losses on equity securities in 2010. There were no OTTI losses on debt securities in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

Income taxes

The effective income tax rate was 34.0%, 34.4% and 34.6% in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for 2011 as compared with 2010 was primarily due to increases in dividends paid to ESOP participants and jobs tax credits. The effective income tax rate for 2010 as compared with 2009 remained relatively unchanged.

13

Net earnings

Net earnings were $1,492.0 million or $1.90 per share, $1,338.1 million or $1.70 per share and $1,161.4 million or $1.47 per share for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Net earnings as a percentage of sales were 5.5%, 5.3% and 4.8% for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in net earnings as a percentage of sales for 2011 as compared with 2010 was primarily due to incremental sales from the additional week partially offset by the decrease in gross profit as a percentage of sales, as noted above. The increase in net earnings as a percentage of sales for 2010 as compared with 2009 was primarily due to increases in gross profit as a percentage of sales and decreases in operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, as noted above.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost for 84% and 85% of inventories was determined using the dollar value LIFO method as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. Under this method, inventory is stated at cost, which is determined by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to each similar merchandise category’s ending retail value. The cost of the remaining inventories was determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The FIFO cost of inventory approximates replacement or current cost. The FIFO method is used to value manufactured, seasonal, certain perishable and other miscellaneous inventory items because of fluctuating costs and inconsistent product availability. The Company also reduces inventory for estimated losses related to shrink.

Investments

All of the Company’s debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale (AFS) and carried at fair value. The Company evaluates whether AFS securities are OTTI based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market decline, the credit rating of the issuer or security, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments and the financial health and prospects of the issuer or security. Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be OTTI are recognized in earnings and reported as OTTI losses, while declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be temporary are reported, net of tax, as other comprehensive losses and included as a component of stockholders’ equity. If market or issuer conditions decline, the Company may incur future impairments.

Debt securities with unrealized losses are considered OTTI if the Company intends to sell the debt security or if the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to any anticipated recovery. If the Company determines that a debt security is OTTI under these circumstances, the impairment recognized in earnings is measured as the difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value. A debt security is also determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost of the debt security. However, in this circumstance, if the Company does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the impairment recognized in earnings equals the estimated credit loss as measured by the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost of the debt security. Expected cash flows are discounted using the debt security’s effective interest rate. Debt securities held by the Company at year end primarily consisted of corporate, state and municipality issued bonds and collateralized mortgage obligations with high credit ratings; therefore, the Company believes the credit risk is low. The Company believes a one percentage point increase in long-term interest rates, or 100 basis points, would result in an immaterial unrealized loss on its debt securities. Since the Company does not intend to sell its debt securities or will likely not be required to sell its debt securities prior to any anticipated recovery, such a theoretical temporary unrealized loss would impact comprehensive earnings, but not net earnings or cash flows.

14

Equity securities held by the Company are subject to equity price risk that results from fluctuations in quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date. Market price fluctuations may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the issuer, the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions. An equity security is determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the cost of the equity security. A theoretical decrease of 10% in the value of the Company’s equity securities would result in an immaterial decrease in the value of long-term investments.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

Assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the terms of their leases, if shorter, as follows: buildings and improvements are at 10 – 40 years, furniture, fixtures and equipment are at 3 – 20 years and leasehold improvements are at 5 – 40 years. The Company considers lease renewals in the useful life of its leasehold improvements when such renewals are reasonably assured.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net book value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the net book value of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on expected discounted future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and are no longer depreciated. Long-lived assets, including buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment are evaluated for impairment at the supermarket level.

The Company’s judgment regarding the existence of circumstances that indicate the potential impairment of an asset’s net book value is based on several factors, including the decision to close a supermarket or a decline in operating cash flows. The variability of these factors depends on a number of conditions, including uncertainty about future events and general economic conditions; therefore, the Company’s accounting estimates may change from period to period. These factors could cause the Company to conclude that a potential impairment exists, and the applicable impairment tests could result in a determination that the value of long-lived assets is impaired, resulting in a write-down of the long-lived assets. The Company attempts to select supermarket sites that will achieve the forecasted operating results. To the extent the Company’s assets are maintained in good condition and the forecasted operating results of the supermarkets are achieved, it is relatively unlikely that future assessments of recoverability would result in impairment charges that would have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. There were no material changes in the estimates or assumptions related to the impairment of long-lived assets in 2011.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized at the point of sale for retail sales. Customer returns are immaterial. Vendor coupons that are reimbursed are accounted for as sales. Coupons and other sales incentives offered by the Company that are not reimbursed are recorded as a reduction of sales.

Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes costs of inventory and costs related to in-store production. Cost of merchandise sold also includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and other costs of the Company’s distribution network.

Vendor allowances and credits, including cooperative advertising fees, received from a vendor in connection with the purchase or promotion of the vendor’s products are recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold as earned. These allowances and credits are recognized as earned in accordance with the underlying agreement with the vendor and completion of the earnings process. Short-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a current liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements. Long-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a noncurrent liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements.

15

Self-Insurance

The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of the self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. Historically, it has been infrequent for incurred claims to exceed these self-insurance limits.

Self-insurance reserves are established for health care, fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. These reserves are determined based on actual claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported including, where necessary, actuarial studies. The Company believes that the use of actuarial studies to determine self-insurance reserves represents a consistent method of measuring these subjective estimates. Actuarial projections of losses for general liability and workers’ compensation claims are discounted and subject to a high degree of variability. The causes of variability include, but are not limited to, such factors as future interest and inflation rates, future economic conditions, claims experience, litigation trends and benefit level changes. The Company believes a one percentage point change in the discount rate, or 100 basis points, would result in an immaterial change in the Company’s self-insurance reserves.

Forward-Looking Statements

From time to time, certain information provided by the Company, including written or oral statements made by its representatives, may contain forward-looking information as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future performance of the Company, which is based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to them. When used, the words “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “believe” and other similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements including, but not limited to, the following: competitive practices and pricing in the food and drug industries generally and particularly in the Company’s principal markets; results of programs to increase sales, including private-label sales; results of programs to control or reduce costs; changes in buying, pricing and promotional practices; changes in shrink management; changes in the general economy; changes in consumer spending; changes in population, employment and job growth in the Company’s principal markets; and other factors affecting the Company’s business within or beyond the Company’s control. These factors include changes in the rate of inflation, changes in state and federal legislation or regulation, adverse determinations with respect to litigation or other claims, ability to recruit and retain employees, increases in operating costs including, but not limited to, labor costs, credit card fees and utility costs, particularly electric rates, ability to construct new supermarkets or complete remodels as rapidly as planned and stability of product costs. Other factors and assumptions not identified above could also cause the actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor does it utilize leveraged financial instruments.

The Company’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to three market risks, namely: interest rate risk, credit risk and secondary market risk. Most of the cash equivalents and short-term investments are held in money market investments and debt securities that mature in less than one year. Due to the quality of the short-term investments held, the Company does not expect the valuation of these investments to be significantly impacted by future market conditions.

The Company’s long-term investments consist of debt and equity securities that are classified as AFS and carried at fair value. The Company evaluates whether AFS securities are OTTI based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market decline, the credit rating of the issuer or security, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments and the financial health and prospects of the issuer or security. Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be OTTI are recognized in earnings and reported as OTTI, while declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be temporary are reported, net of tax, as other comprehensive losses and included as a component of stockholders’ equity. If market or issuer conditions decline, the Company may incur future impairments.

16

Debt securities are subject to both interest rate risk and credit risk. Debt securities with unrealized losses are considered OTTI if the Company intends to sell the debt security or if the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to any anticipated recovery. If the Company determines that a debt security is OTTI under these circumstances, the impairment recognized in earnings is measured as the difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value. A debt security is also determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost of the debt security. However, in this circumstance, if the Company does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the impairment recognized in earnings equals the estimated credit loss as measured by the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost of the debt security. Expected cash flows are discounted using the debt security’s effective interest rate. Debt securities held by the Company at year end primarily consisted of corporate, state and municipality issued bonds and collateralized mortgage obligations with high credit ratings; therefore, the Company believes the credit risk is low. The Company believes a one percentage point increase in long-term interest rates, or 100 basis points, would result in an immaterial unrealized loss on its debt securities. Since the Company does not intend to sell its debt securities or will likely not be required to sell its debt securities prior to any anticipated recovery, such a theoretical temporary unrealized loss would impact comprehensive earnings, but not net earnings or cash flows.

Equity securities held by the Company are subject to equity price risk that results from fluctuations in quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date. Market price fluctuations may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the issuer, the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions. An equity security is determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the cost of the equity security. A theoretical decrease of 10% in the value of the Company’s equity securities would result in an immaterial decrease in the value of long-term investments.

17

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment and these criteria, management believes that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included on page 21.

18

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule

	Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		20
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010		22
Consolidated Statements of Earnings – Years ended December 31, 2011, December  25, 2010 and December 26, 2009		24
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings – Years ended December 31, 2011,  December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009		25
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years ended December 31, 2011, December  25, 2010 and December 26, 2009		26
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity – Years ended December  31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009		28
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		29
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 is submitted herewith:
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts		42
All other schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the financial statements or related notes.

19

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Publix Super Markets, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Publix Super Markets, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 29, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

KPMG LLP

Tampa, Florida

February 29, 2012

Certified Public Accountants

20

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Publix Super Markets, Inc.:

We have audited Publix Super Markets, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Publix Super Markets, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Publix Super Markets, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and our report dated February 29, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

KPMG LLP

Tampa, Florida

February 29, 2012

Certified Public Accountants

21

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2011 and

December 25, 2010

Assets	2011			2010
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	366,853			605,901
Short-term investments		447,972			336,282
Trade receivables		542,990			492,311
Merchandise inventories		1,361,709			1,359,028
Deferred tax assets		59,400			59,126
Prepaid expenses		24,316			25,354
Total current assets		2,803,240			2,878,002
Long-term investments		3,805,283			2,759,751
Other noncurrent assets		171,179			168,398
Property, plant and equipment:
Land		592,843			504,415
Buildings and improvements		2,062,833			1,918,940
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		4,540,988			4,488,139
Leasehold improvements		1,321,646			1,293,578
Construction in progress		103,006			110,909
		8,621,316			8,315,981
Accumulated depreciation		(4,132,786	)		(3,963,045	)
Net property, plant and equipment		4,488,530			4,352,936
	$	11,268,232			10,159,087

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

22

Liabilities and Equity	2011			2010
	(Amounts are in thousands, except par value)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,133,120			1,156,181
Accrued expenses:
Contribution to retirement plans		405,818			376,002
Self-insurance reserves		125,569			114,133
Salaries and wages		110,207			113,794
Other		221,713			249,633
Current portion of long-term debt		15,124			72,879
Federal and state income taxes		39,225			23,462
Total current liabilities		2,050,776			2,106,084
Deferred tax liabilities		316,802			225,695
Self-insurance reserves		219,660			221,337
Accrued postretirement benefit cost		103,595			90,935
Long-term debt		119,460			76,482
Other noncurrent liabilities		116,482			132,962
Total liabilities		2,926,775			2,853,495
Common stock related to Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)		2,137,217			2,016,696
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 779,675 shares in 2011 and 780,969 shares in 2010		779,675			780,969
Additional paid-in capital		1,354,881			1,092,008
Retained earnings		6,131,193			5,349,387
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings		30,261			38,226
Common stock related to ESOP		(2,137,217	)		(2,016,696	)
Total stockholders’ equity		6,158,793			5,243,894
Noncontrolling interests		45,447			45,002
Total equity		8,341,457			7,305,592
Commitments and contingencies		---			---
	$	11,268,232			10,159,087

23

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010

and December 26, 2009

	2011		2010		2009
		(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Sales		$26,967,389		25,134,054		24,319,716
Other operating income		211,375		194,000		195,244
Total revenues		27,178,764		25,328,054		24,514,960
Costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise sold		19,520,370		18,111,443		17,592,679
Operating and administrative expenses		5,523,469		5,295,287		5,241,368
Total costs and expenses		25,043,839		23,406,730		22,834,047
Operating profit		2,134,925		1,921,324		1,680,913
Investment income		99,039		91,835		87,555
Other-than-temporary impairment losses		(6,082)		---		(19,283)
Investment income, net		92,957		91,835		68,272
Other income, net		33,891		26,259		25,529
Earnings before income tax expense		2,261,773		2,039,418		1,774,714
Income tax expense		769,807		701,271		613,272
Net earnings		$  1,491,966		1,338,147		1,161,442
Weighted average shares outstanding		784,815		786,378		788,835
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$           1.90		1.70		1.47

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

24

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings

Years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010

and December 26, 2009

	2011			2010			2009
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Net earnings	$	1,491,966			1,338,147			1,161,442
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings:
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale (AFS) securities, net of tax effect of $6,324, $8,251 and $33,777 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively		10,041			13,102			53,637
Reclassification adjustment for net realized (gain) loss on AFS securities, net of tax effect of ($7,684), ($9,473) and $2,628 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively		(12,202	)		(15,043	)		4,173
Adjustment to postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of tax effect of ($3,655), ($1,913) and ($1,246) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively		(5,804	)		(3,038	)		(1,979	)
Comprehensive earnings	$	1,484,001			1,333,168			1,217,273

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

25

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010

and December 26, 2009

	2011			2010			2009
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$	26,980,492			25,209,753			24,231,980
Cash paid to employees and suppliers		(24,024,194	)		(22,253,046	)		(21,646,622	)
Income taxes paid		(658,213	)		(686,037	)		(553,235	)
Self-insured claims paid		(285,362	)		(274,305	)		(283,079	)
Dividends and interest received		139,727			95,794			73,087
Other operating cash receipts		203,112			184,760			185,331
Other operating cash payments		(14,375	)		(10,951	)		(9,230	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,341,187			2,265,968			1,998,232
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for property, plant and equipment		(602,952	)		(468,530	)		(693,489	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		5,312			2,815			4,150
Payment for investments		(2,062,775	)		(1,598,759	)		(1,133,449	)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments		841,028			655,799			777,381
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,819,387	)		(1,408,675	)		(1,045,407	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for acquisition of common stock		(497,570	)		(436,224	)		(629,453	)
Proceeds from sale of common stock		206,245			178,914			152,096
Dividends paid		(418,680	)		(364,087	)		(325,295	)
Repayments of long-term debt		(49,076	)		(10,875	)		(1,138	)
Other, net		(1,767	)		10,364			19,668
Net cash used in financing activities		(760,848	)		(621,908	)		(784,122	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(239,048	)		235,385			168,703
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		605,901			370,516			201,813
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	366,853			605,901			370,516

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

26

	2011			2010			2009
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings	$	1,491,966			1,338,147			1,161,442
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		492,639			507,341			496,106
Retirement contributions paid or payable in common stock		291,240			275,547			256,110
Deferred income taxes		95,848			20,722			27,018
Loss on disposal and impairment of property, plant and equipment		13,734			19,896			32,482
(Gain) loss on AFS securities		(19,886	)		(24,516	)		6,801
Net amortization of investments		80,890			48,113			15,625
Change in operating assets and liabilities providing (requiring) cash:
Trade receivables		(50,782	)		16,165			(140,082	)
Merchandise inventories		(3,132	)		26,245			2,302
Prepaid expenses and other noncurrent assets		(15,635	)		(8,054	)		(5,825	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(51,741	)		63,852			103,014
Self-insurance reserves		9,762			(13,494	)		(14,381	)
Federal and state income taxes		15,763			(5,113	)		33,186
Other noncurrent liabilities		(9,479	)		1,117			24,434
Total adjustments		849,221			927,821			836,790
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	2,341,187			2,265,968			1,998,232

27

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010

and December 26, 2009

	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Common Stock (Acquired from) Sold to Stock- holders			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Losses)			Common Stock Related to ESOP			Total Stock- holders’ Equity
				(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
Balances at December 27, 2008		$793,966			806,526			4,055,432			---			(12,626	)		(1,777,153	)		3,866,145
Comprehensive earnings		---			---			1,161,442			---			55,831			---			1,217,273
Cash dividends, $0.41 per share		---			---			(325,295	)		---			---			---			(325,295	)
Contribution of 15,013 shares to retirement plans		3,522			31,594			---			206,589			---			---			241,705
Acquired 37,895 shares from stockholders		---			---			---			(629,453	)		---			---			(629,453	)
Sale of 9,482 shares to stockholders		7			(151	)		---			152,240			---			---			152,096
Retirement of 16,929 shares		(16,929	)		---			(253,695	)		270,624			---			---			---
Change for ESOP related shares		---			---			---			---			---			(85,197	)		(85,197	)
Balances at December 26, 2009		780,566			837,969			4,637,884			---			43,205			(1,862,350	)		4,437,274
Comprehensive earnings		---			---			1,338,147			---			(4,979	)		---			1,333,168
Cash dividends, $0.46 per share		---			---			(364,087	)		---			---			---			(364,087	)
Contribution of 14,363 shares to retirement plans		12,968			214,414			---			21,813			---			---			249,195
Acquired 23,731 shares from stockholders		---			---			---			(436,224	)		---			---			(436,224	)
Sale of 9,771 shares to stockholders		2,255			39,625			---			137,034			---			---			178,914
Retirement of 14,820 shares		(14,820	)		---			(262,557	)		277,377			---			---			---
Change for ESOP related shares		---			---			---			---			---			(154,346	)		(154,346	)
Balances at December 25, 2010		780,969			1,092,008			5,349,387			---			38,226			(2,016,696	)		5,243,894
Comprehensive earnings		---			---			1,491,966			---			(7,965	)		---			1,484,001
Cash dividends, $0.53 per share		---			---			(418,680	)		---			---			---			(418,680	)
Contribution of 12,508 shares to retirement plans		10,064			202,761			---			48,599			---			---			261,424
Acquired 23,513 shares from stockholders		---			---			---			(497,570	)		---			---			(497,570	)
Sale of 9,711 shares to stockholders		2,920			60,112			---			143,213			---			---			206,245
Retirement of 14,278 shares		(14,278	)		---			(291,480	)		305,758			---			---			---
Change for ESOP related shares		---			---			---			---			---			(120,521	)		(120,521	)
Balances at December 31, 2011		$779,675			1,354,881			6,131,193			---			30,261			(2,137,217	)		6,158,793

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

28

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

  (a) Business

Publix Super Markets, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are in the primary business of operating retail food supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Company was founded in 1930 and later merged into another corporation that was originally incorporated in 1921. The Company has no other significant lines of business or industry segments. See percentage of consolidated sales by merchandise category on page 1.

  (b) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries and certain joint ventures (JV) in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

  (c) Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal year 2011 includes 53 weeks and fiscal years 2010 and 2009 include 52 weeks.

  (d) Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

  (e) Trade Receivables

Trade receivables primarily include amounts due from vendor allowances, debit and credit card sales and third party insurance pharmacy billings.

  (f) Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost for 84% and 85% of inventories was determined using the dollar value last-in, first-out method as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. The cost of the remaining inventories was determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The FIFO cost of inventory approximates replacement or current cost. The FIFO method is used to value manufactured, seasonal, certain perishable and other miscellaneous inventory items because of fluctuating costs and inconsistent product availability. The Company also reduces inventory for estimated losses related to shrink. If the FIFO method of valuing inventories had been used by the Company to value all inventories, then inventories and current assets would have been higher than reported by $346,558,000 and $279,413,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively.

  (g) Investments

All of the Company’s debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale (AFS) and are carried at fair value. The Company evaluates whether AFS securities are other-than-temporarily impaired (OTTI) based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market value decline, the credit rating of the issuer or security, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments and the financial health and prospects of the issuer or security.

Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be OTTI are recognized in earnings and reported as OTTI losses. Debt securities with unrealized losses are considered OTTI if the Company intends to sell the debt security or if the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to any anticipated recovery. If the Company determines that a debt security is OTTI under these circumstances, the impairment recognized in earnings is measured as the difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value. A debt security is also determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost of the debt security. However, in this circumstance, if the Company does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the impairment recognized in earnings equals the estimated credit loss as measured by the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost of the debt security. Expected cash flows are discounted using the debt security’s effective interest rate. An equity security is determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the cost of the equity security. Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be temporary are reported, net of tax, as other comprehensive losses and included as a component of stockholders’ equity.

29

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Interest and dividend income, amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts and realized gains and losses on AFS securities are included in investment income. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recognized as income on the ex-dividend date of the stock. The cost of AFS securities sold is based on the FIFO method.

(h) Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

Assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases, if shorter, as follows:

Buildings and improvements	10 – 40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3 – 20 years
Leasehold improvements	5 – 40 years

Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. The gain or loss realized on disposed assets or assets to be disposed of is recorded as operating and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

(i) Capitalized Computer Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. These costs are capitalized and amortized over a three year life. The amounts capitalized were $9,818,000, $7,514,000 and $11,959,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(j) Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net book value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the net book value of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on expected discounted future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and are no longer depreciated. Long-lived assets, including buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment are evaluated for impairment at the supermarket level.

(k) Self-Insurance

Self-insurance reserves are established for health care, fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. These reserves are determined based on actual claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported including, where necessary, actuarial studies. Actuarial projections of losses for general liability and workers’ compensation claims are discounted. The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of the self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. Historically, it has been infrequent for incurred claims to exceed these self-insurance limits.

(l) Comprehensive Earnings

Comprehensive earnings include net earnings and other comprehensive earnings. Other comprehensive earnings include revenues, expenses, gains and losses that have been excluded from net earnings and recorded directly to stockholders’ equity. Included in other comprehensive earnings for the Company are unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities and adjustments to the postretirement benefit plan obligation.

As of December 31, 2011, accumulated other comprehensive earnings included net unrealized gains on AFS securities of $72,879,000, less tax effect of $28,176,000, and an unfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $23,536,000, less tax effect of $9,094,000. As of December 25, 2010, accumulated other comprehensive earnings included net unrealized gains on AFS securities of $76,400,000, less tax effect of $29,536,000, and an unfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $14,077,000, less tax effect of $5,439,000.

30

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(m) Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized at the point of sale for retail sales. Customer returns are immaterial. Vendor coupons that are reimbursed are accounted for as sales. Coupons and other sales incentives offered by the Company that are not reimbursed are recorded as a reduction of sales.

(n) Sales Taxes

The Company records sales net of applicable sales taxes.

(o) Other Operating Income

Other operating income is recognized on a net revenue basis as earned. Other operating income includes income generated from other activities, primarily lottery commissions, automated teller transaction fees, commissions on licensee sales, vending machine commissions, mall gift card commissions, money transfer fees and coupon redemption income.

(p) Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes costs of inventory and costs related to in-store production. Cost of merchandise sold also includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and other costs of the Company’s distribution network.

Vendor allowances and credits, including cooperative advertising allowances, received from a vendor in connection with the purchase or promotion of the vendor’s products are recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold as earned. These allowances and credits are recognized as earned in accordance with the underlying agreement with the vendor and completion of the earnings process. Short-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a current liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements. Long-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a noncurrent liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements.

The amount of cooperative advertising allowances recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold was $8,898,000, $10,715,000 and $7,982,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(q) Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $202,405,000, $191,788,000 and $180,159,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(r) Other Income, net

Other income, net includes rent received from tenants in owned shopping centers, net of related expenses, and other miscellaneous nonoperating income.

(s) Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting bases and are subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities as a component of income tax expense.

(t) Common Stock and Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same because the Company does not have options or other stock compensation programs that would impact the calculation of diluted earnings per share. All shares owned by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) are included in the earnings per share calculations. Cash dividends paid to the ESOP, as well as dividends on all other common stock shares, are reflected as a reduction of retained earnings. All common stock shares, including ESOP and 401(k) Plan shares, receive one vote per share and have the same dividend rights. The voting rights for ESOP shares allocated to participants’ accounts are passed through to the participants. The Trustee of the 401(k) Plan votes the shares held in that plan.

31

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(u) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(2) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable, approximate their respective carrying amounts due to their short-term maturity.

The fair value of AFS securities is based on market prices using the following measurement categories:

Level 1 – Fair value is determined by using quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. AFS securities that are included in this category are primarily a mutual fund and equity securities.

Level 2 – Fair value is determined by using other than quoted prices. By using observable inputs (for example, benchmark yields, interest rates, reported trades and broker dealer quotes), the fair value is determined through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities and matrix pricing of corporate and municipal bonds by using pricing of similar bonds based on coupons, ratings and maturities. In addition, the value of collateralized mortgage obligation securities is determined by using models to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios for these securities which have prepayment features. AFS securities that are included in this category are primarily debt securities (tax exempt and taxable bonds).

Level 3 – Fair value is determined by using other than observable inputs. Fair value is determined by using the best information available in the circumstances and requires significant management judgment or estimation. No AFS securities are currently included in this category.

Following is a summary of fair value measurements for AFS securities as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

	Fair
	Value	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(Amounts are in thousands)
December 31, 2011	$4,253,255		473,099		3,780,156		---
December 25, 2010	3,096,033		223,655		2,872,378		---

32

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(3) Investments

Following is a summary of AFS securities as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Tax exempt bonds		$2,488,135		36,657		550		2,524,242
Taxable bonds		1,226,136		20,015		1,514		1,244,637
Restricted investments		170,000		---		3,019		166,981
Equity securities		296,105		35,564		14,274		317,395
		$4,180,376		92,236		19,357		4,253,255
2010
Tax exempt bonds		$1,932,466		13,308		8,322		1,937,452
Taxable bonds		867,430		16,108		2,542		880,996
Equity securities		219,737		60,536		2,688		277,585
		$3,019,633		89,952		13,552		3,096,033

On December 29, 2010, the Company funded a restricted trust account in the amount of $170,000,000 for the benefit of its insurance carrier related to the Company’s workers’ compensation self-insurance reserves in lieu of providing a standby letter of credit or other security. The restricted trust account is invested in a mutual fund primarily comprised of short-term, investment grade bonds. Earnings from the investments held in the restricted trust account are paid to the Company in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement.

Realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $35,864,000, $28,935,000 and $21,423,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Realized losses on sales and OTTI of AFS securities totaled $15,978,000, $4,419,000 and $28,224,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company recorded OTTI losses on equity securities of $6,082,000 and $19,283,000 in 2011 and 2009, respectively. There were no OTTI losses on equity securities in 2010. There were no OTTI losses on debt securities in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

The amortized cost and fair value of AFS securities by expected maturity as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010 are as follows:

	2011				2010
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
Due in one year or less		$   445,296		447,972		332,992		336,282
Due after one year through five years		2,492,484		2,524,020		1,499,176		1,506,731
Due after five years through ten years		348,427		356,808		337,677		335,056
Due after ten years		428,064		440,079		630,051		640,379
		3,714,271		3,768,879		2,799,896		2,818,448
Restricted investments		170,000		166,981		---		---
Equity securities		296,105		317,395		219,737		277,585
		$4,180,376		4,253,255		3,019,633		3,096,033

33

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Following is a summary of temporarily impaired AFS securities by the time period impaired as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
					(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Tax exempt bonds		$138,892		536		6,026		14		144,918		550
Taxable bonds		201,538		1,514		---		---		201,538		1,514
Restricted investments		166,981		3,019		---		---		166,981		3,019
Equity securities		86,236		13,899		1,889		375		88,125		14,274
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities		$593,647		18,968		7,915		389		601,562		19,357
2010
Tax exempt bonds		$624,553		8,321		54		1		624,607		8,322
Taxable bonds		155,160		2,045		4,130		497		159,290		2,542
Equity securities		30,065		1,914		3,571		774		33,636		2,688
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities		$809,778		12,280		7,755		1,272		817,533		13,552

There are 298 AFS securities contributing to the total unrealized loss of $19,357,000 as of December 31, 2011. Unrealized losses related to debt securities are primarily driven by interest rate volatility impacting the market value of certain bonds. The Company continues to receive scheduled principal and interest payments on these debt securities. Unrealized losses related to the equity securities are primarily driven by stock market volatility.

(4) Consolidation of Joint Ventures and Long-Term Debt

From time to time, the Company enters into JVs, in the legal form of limited liability companies, with certain real estate developers to partner in the development of shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. Effective December 27, 2009, the Company adopted a new accounting standard on variable interest entities (VIE) that resulted in the consolidation of certain JVs in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. The Company is considered to have a controlling financial interest in a JV when it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the JV that most significantly impact the JV’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the JV that could potentially be significant to such JV.

The Company evaluates a JV using specific criteria to determine whether the Company has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of the JV. Factors considered in determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary include risk and reward sharing, experience and financial condition of the other JV members, voting rights, involvement in routine capital and operating decisions and each member’s influence over the JV owned shopping center’s economic performance.

Generally, most major JV decision making is shared between all members. In particular, the use and sale of JV assets, business plans and budgets are generally required to be approved by all members. However, the Company, through its anchor tenant operating lease agreement, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly influence the economic performance of the JV owned shopping center. Additionally, through its member equity interest in the JV, the Company will receive a significant portion of the JV’s benefits or is obligated to absorb a significant portion of the JV’s losses.

34

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2011, the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated JVs were $177,226,000 and $76,249,000, respectively. The assets are owned by, and the liabilities are obligations of, the JVs, not the Company, except for a portion of the long-term debt of certain JVs guaranteed by the Company. The JVs are financed with capital contributions from the members, loans and/or the cash flows generated by the JV owned shopping centers once in operation. Total earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were immaterial. The Company’s involvement with these JVs does not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company’s long-term debt results primarily from the consolidation of loans of certain JVs and loans assumed in connection with the acquisition of certain shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. The Company assumed loans totaling $34,299,000 during 2011. No loans were assumed during 2010. Maturities of JV loans range from July 2012 through January 2015 and have either (1) fixed interest rates ranging from 4.5% to 5.3% or (2) variable interest rates based on a LIBOR index plus basis points ranging from 195 basis points to 250 basis points. Maturities of assumed shopping center loans range from September 2013 through June 2024 and have fixed interest rates ranging from 5.1% to 7.1%.

As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt are as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2012	$	15,124
2013		45,401
2014		38,320
2015		8,550
2016		9,257
Thereafter		17,932
	$	134,584

(5) Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides postretirement life insurance benefits for certain salaried and hourly full-time employees who meet the eligibility requirements. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company amended the retiree life insurance benefit under its Group Life Insurance Plan. To receive the retiree life insurance benefit after the amendment, an employee must have had at least five years of full-time service and the employee’s age plus years of credited service must have equaled 65 or greater as of October 1, 2001. At retirement, such employees also must be at least age 55 with at least 10 years of full-time service to be eligible to receive postretirement life insurance benefits.

Actuarial losses were recognized in other comprehensive earnings of $9,459,000, less tax effect of $3,655,000, in 2011, $4,951,000, less tax effect of $1,913,000, in 2010 and $3,225,000, less tax effect of $1,246,000, in 2009.

The Company made benefit payments to beneficiaries of retirees of $3,146,000, $2,626,000 and $4,483,000 during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

35

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets and the unfunded status of the plan measured as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

		0000000		0000000
	2011		2010
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year		$  94,776		86,890
Service cost		163		175
Interest cost		5,301		5,291
Actuarial loss		10,530		5,046
Benefit payments		(3,146)		(2,626)
Benefit obligation as of end of year		107,624		94,776
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year		---		---
Employer contributions		3,146		2,626
Benefit payments		(3,146)		(2,626)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year		---		---
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year		$107,624		94,776
Current liability		$    4,029		3,841
Noncurrent liability		103,595		90,935
Total recognized liability		$107,624		94,776

The estimated future benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2012	$	4,029
2013		4,291
2014		4,539
2015		4,776
2016		5,002
2017 through 2021		28,663
Thereafter		56,324
	$	107,624

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost consists of the following components:

		00000		00000		00000
	2011		2010		2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Service cost		$   163		175		194
Interest cost		5,301		5,291		5,204
Amortization of actuarial losses		1,071		95		---
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost		$6,535		5,561		5,398

Actuarial losses are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive earnings into net periodic postretirement benefit cost over future years when the accumulation of such losses exceeds 10% of the year end benefit obligation.

36

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The measurement date is the Company’s fiscal year end. The net periodic postretirement benefit cost is based on assumptions determined at the prior year end measurement date.

Following are the actuarial assumptions that were used in the calculation of the year end benefit obligation:

	2011		2010		2009
Discount rate		4.6%		5.7%		6.2%
Rate of compensation increase		4.0%		4.0%		4.0%

Following are the actuarial assumptions that were used in the calculation of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost:

	2011		2010		2009
Discount rate		5.7%		6.2%		6.4%
Rate of compensation increase		4.0%		4.0%		4.0%

The Company determined the discount rate using a yield curve methodology based on high quality corporate bonds with a rating of AA or better.

(6) Retirement Plans

The Company has a trusteed, noncontributory ESOP for the benefit of eligible employees. The Company recognizes an expense related to the Company’s discretionary contribution to the ESOP based on a percent of net earnings before taxes that is approved by the Board of Directors each year. ESOP contributions can be made in Company common stock or cash. Compensation expense recorded for contributions to this plan was $267,099,000, $253,093,000 and $234,336,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company’s ESOP includes a put option for shares of the Company’s common stock distributed from the ESOP. Shares are distributed from the ESOP primarily to separated vested participants and certain eligible participants who elect to diversify their account balances. Since the Company’s common stock is not currently traded on an established securities market, if the owners of distributed shares desire to sell their shares, the Company is required to purchase the shares at fair value for a 15-month period after distribution of the shares from the ESOP. The fair value of distributed shares subject to the put option totaled $116,824,000 and $114,815,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. The cost of the shares held by the ESOP totaled $2,020,393,000 and $1,901,881,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. Due to the Company’s obligation under the put option, the distributed shares subject to the put option and the shares held by the ESOP (collectively referred to as ESOP related shares) are classified as temporary equity in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $2,137,217,000 and $2,016,696,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. The fair value of the shares held by the ESOP totaled $4,917,283,000 and $4,887,626,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. See Note 9.

The Company has a 401(k) plan for the benefit of eligible employees. The 401(k) plan is a voluntary defined contribution plan. Eligible employees may contribute up to 10% of their eligible annual compensation, subject to the maximum contribution limits established by federal law. The Company may make a discretionary annual matching contribution to eligible participants of this plan as determined by the Board of Directors. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Board of Directors approved a match of 50% of eligible contributions up to 3% of eligible wages, not to exceed a maximum match of $750 per employee. The match, which is determined as of the last day of the plan year and paid in the subsequent plan year, is in common stock of the Company. Compensation expense recorded for the Company’s match to the 401(k) plan was $24,141,000, $22,454,000 and $21,774,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company intends to continue its retirement plans; however, the right to modify, amend, terminate or merge these plans has been reserved. In the event of termination, all amounts contributed under the plans must be paid to the participants or their beneficiaries.

37

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(7) Income Taxes

Total income taxes for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were allocated as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Earnings	$	769,807			701,271			613,272
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings		(5,015	)		(3,135	)		35,159
	$	764,792			698,136			648,431

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

	Current		Deferred			Total
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Federal		$592,275		90,486			682,761
State		81,684		5,362			87,046
		$673,959		95,848			769,807
2010
Federal		$601,098		23,778			624,876
State		79,451		(3,056	)		76,395
		$680,549		20,722			701,271
2009
Federal		$518,269		28,064			546,333
State		67,985		(1,046	)		66,939
		$586,254		27,018			613,272

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes at the federal statutory tax rate of 35% to earnings before income taxes compared to the Company’s actual income tax expense is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Federal tax at statutory tax rate	$	791,621			713,796			621,150
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)		56,580			49,657			43,511
ESOP dividend		(46,675	)		(40,718	)		(36,033	)
Other, net		(31,719	)		(21,464	)		(15,356	)
	$	769,807			701,271			613,272

38

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010 are as follows:

	2011		2010
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves		$114,522		113,557
Retirement plan contributions		48,825		44,686
Postretirement benefit cost		41,515		36,551
Reserves not currently deductible		18,047		24,731
Inventory capitalization		11,687		12,650
Advance purchase allowances		6,454		7,768
Other		4,357		9,378
Total deferred tax assets		$245,407		249,321
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation		$491,485		409,736
Other		11,324		6,154
Total deferred tax liabilities		$502,809		415,890

The Company expects the results of future operations and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities to generate sufficient taxable income to allow utilization of deferred tax assets; therefore, no valuation allowance has been recorded as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010.

The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The periods subject to examination for the Company’s federal return are the 2008 through 2010 tax years, and the Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing the 2008 and 2009 tax years. The periods subject to examination for the Company’s state returns are the 2007 through 2010 tax years. The Company believes that the outcome of any examination will not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. As of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, the Company had immaterial accruals for income tax related interest expense.

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits in 2011 and 2010. Because the Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011, there will be no effect on the Company’s effective income tax rate in future periods due to the recognition of unrecognized tax benefits.

39

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(8) Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Operating Leases

The Company conducts a major portion of its retail operations from leased premises. Initial terms of the leases are typically 20 years, followed by renewal options at five year intervals, and may include rent escalation clauses. Minimum rentals represent fixed lease obligations, including insurance and maintenance to the extent they are fixed in the lease. Contingent rentals represent payment of variable lease obligations, including real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and, for certain premises, additional rentals based on a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated minimums (excess rent). The payment of variable real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance is generally based on the Company’s pro-rata share of total shopping center square footage. The Company recognizes rent expense for operating leases with rent escalation clauses on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term. The Company estimates excess rent, where applicable, based on annual sales projections and uses the straight-line method to amortize this cost to rent expense. The annual sales projections are reviewed periodically and adjusted if necessary. Additionally, the Company has operating leases for certain transportation and other equipment.

Total rental expense for 2011, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Minimum rentals	$	410,590			410,390			437,857
Contingent rentals		110,900			117,249			123,736
Sublease rental income		(4,699	)		(5,912	)		(5,953	)
	$	516,791			521,727			555,640

As of December 31, 2011, future minimum lease payments for all noncancelable operating leases and related subleases are as follows:

Year	Minimum Rental Commitments		Sublease Rental Income		Net
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2012		$   423,516		3,975		419,541
2013		407,277		3,831		403,446
2014		380,002		3,309		376,693
2015		351,137		1,025		350,112
2016		326,609		406		326,203
Thereafter		2,385,617		414		2,385,203
		$4,274,158		12,960		4,261,198

The Company also owns shopping centers which are leased to tenants for minimum monthly rentals plus, in certain instances, contingent rentals. Minimum rentals represent fixed lease commitments, including insurance and maintenance. Contingent rentals represent variable lease obligations including real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and, in certain instances, excess rent. Total rental amounts included in trade receivables were $1,827,000 and $1,459,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. Rental income was $36,057,000, $32,576,000 and $25,590,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The amounts of minimum future rental payments to be received under noncancelable operating leases are $34,381,000, $28,711,000, $21,897,000, $15,433,000 and $10,634,000 for the years 2012 through 2016, respectively, and $59,964,000 thereafter.

(b) Letters of Credit

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $10,200,000 outstanding in trade letters of credit and $3,700,000 in standby letters of credit to support certain purchase obligations.

40

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(c) Litigation

The Company is a party in various legal claims and actions considered in the normal course of business. The Company believes its recorded reserves are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities. The estimated amount of reasonably possible losses for claims, individually and in the aggregate, is considered to be immaterial. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

(9) Correction of Error

The Company’s ESOP includes a put option for shares of the Company’s common stock distributed from the ESOP. Shares are distributed from the ESOP primarily to separated vested participants and certain eligible participants who elect to diversify their account balances. Since the Company’s common stock is not currently traded on an established securities market, if the owners of distributed shares desire to sell their shares, the Company is required to purchase the shares at fair value for a 15-month period after distribution of the shares from the ESOP. Due to the Company’s obligation under the put option, the ESOP related shares should be classified as temporary equity in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets. The ESOP related shares were previously classified in permanent equity. This correction of an error resulted in the December 25, 2010 permanent equity decreasing by $2,016,696,000 and temporary equity increasing by $2,016,696,000 from amounts previously reported. See Note 6.

(10) Quarterly Information (unaudited)

Following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for 2011 and 2010. All quarters have 13 weeks, except the fourth quarter of 2011 which has 14 weeks.

	Quarter
	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
2011
Revenues		$6,836,402		6,621,633		6,425,379		7,295,350
Costs and expenses		6,264,682		6,079,262		5,978,544		6,721,351
Net earnings		398,167		382,369		311,902		399,528
Basic and diluted earnings per share		0.51		0.48		0.40		0.51
2010
Revenues		$6,548,665		6,261,831		6,086,076		6,431,482
Costs and expenses		6,024,959		5,762,828		5,676,395		5,942,548
Net earnings		364,399		348,424		283,222		342,102
Basic and diluted earnings per share		0.47		0.44		0.36		0.44

41

Schedule II

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010

and December 26, 2009

Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Additions Charged to Income		Deductions From Reserves		Balance at End of Year
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2011
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current		$114,133		296,798		285,362		125,569
Noncurrent		221,337		---		1,677		219,660
		$335,470		296,798		287,039		345,229
Year ended December 25, 2010
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current		$119,375		269,063		274,305		114,133
Noncurrent		229,589		---		8,252		221,337
		$348,964		269,063		282,557		335,470
Year ended December 26, 2009
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current		$132,275		270,179		283,079		119,375
Noncurrent		231,070		---		1,481		229,589
		$363,345		270,179		284,560		348,964

42

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information has been accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management’s report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is included on page 18 of this report. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued their audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included on page 21.

Item 9B. Other Information

None

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Certain information concerning the executive officers of the Company is set forth in Part I under the caption “Executive Officers of the Company.” All other information concerning the directors and executive officers of the Company is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement of the Company (2012 Proxy Statement), which the Company intends to file no later than 120 days after its fiscal year end.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and all persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers was filed as Exhibit 14 to the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2002.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated by reference from the 2012 Proxy Statement.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters is incorporated by reference from the 2012 Proxy Statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence

Information regarding certain relationships, related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference from the 2012 Proxy Statement.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference from the 2012 Proxy Statement.

43

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule

The consolidated financial statements and schedule listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(b) Exhibits

3.1(a) Composite of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated June 25, 1979 as amended by (i) Articles of Amendment dated February 22, 1984, (ii) Articles of Amendment dated June 24, 1992, (iii) Articles of Amendment dated June 4, 1993, and (iv) Articles of Amendment dated April 18, 2006 are incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2006.

3.1(b) Articles of Amendment of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated April 18, 2006 are incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2006.

3.2 Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company are incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2002.

10 Indemnification Agreement is incorporated by reference to the form attached as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, between the Company and all of its directors and officers as reported in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K for the periods ended March 31, 2001, June 30, 2001, September 29, 2001, June 29, 2002, December 28, 2002, September 27, 2003, December 27, 2003, March 27, 2004, May 18, 2005, July 1, 2005, January 30, 2006, January 30, 2008, December 22, 2008, April 14, 2009 and January 1, 2011.

10.1 Non-Employee Directors Stock Purchase Plan Summary Plan Description, as registered in the Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2001, is incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.

10.2 Incentive Bonus Plan.

10.3 Employee Stock Ownership Plan as amended and restated as of January 1, 2007 is incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007.

10.4 401(k) SMART Plan as amended and restated as of January 1, 2007 is incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007.

10.5 Indemnification Agreement is incorporated by reference to the form attached as an exhibit to the Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K dated December 14, 2011, between the Company and the Trustee of its ESOP, one of the Trustees of its 401(k) SMART Plan and with each member of its 401(k) SMART Plan investment committee.

14 Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers is incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2002.

21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

31.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101 The following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, is formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

44

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.
February 29, 2012	By:	/s/ John A. Attaway, Jr.
		John A. Attaway, Jr.
		Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/ Carol Jenkins Barnett	Director	February 29, 2012
Carol Jenkins Barnett
/s/ Hoyt R. Barnett	Vice Chairman and Director	February 29, 2012
Hoyt R. Barnett
/s/ William E. Crenshaw	Chief Executive Officer and Director	February 29, 2012
William E. Crenshaw	(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Jane B. Finley	Director	February 29, 2012
Jane B. Finley
/s/ Sherrill W. Hudson	Director	February 29, 2012
Sherrill W. Hudson
/s/ Charles H. Jenkins, Jr.	Chairman of the Board and Director	February 29, 2012
Charles H. Jenkins, Jr.
/s/ Howard M. Jenkins	Director	February 29, 2012
Howard M. Jenkins
/s/ E. Vane McClurg	Director	February 29, 2012
E. Vane McClurg
/s/ Maria A. Sastre	Director	February 29, 2012
Maria A. Sastre
/s/ David P. Phillips	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer	February 29, 2012
David P. Phillips	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

45

EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

Incentive Bonus Plan

Purpose

The purpose of the Company’s incentive bonus plan is to provide an incentive in the form of an annual cash bonus to all executive officers and certain staff employees of the Company for achieving the Company’s sales and target profit goals.

Approval

The incentive bonus plan is approved by the Compensation Committee as to executive officers and by the Executive Committee as to staff employees. Although the Company has a defined method for calculating the incentive bonus, these Committees retain the right to alter or discontinue the incentive bonus plan at their discretion at any time for the employees within their approval authority.

Eligibility and Payment

The incentive bonus plan compensates the executive officers and staff employees for their services during the calendar year and they must be employed with the Company at the end of the calendar year to participate in the incentive bonus. The annual bonuses are paid in the year following the year earned.

Incentive Bonus Calculation

The Company’s incentive bonus plan is based on a target bonus equal to two months pay for all full incentive bonus participants (participants generally transition into the incentive bonus plan over a two-year period). Effective January 1, 2012, participants will transition into the incentive bonus plan over a 12 month period. The formula for the incentive bonus plan is determined so that if the sales and target profit goals for the fiscal year are achieved, the incentive bonus participants will receive the target bonus. The incentive bonus can be more or less than the target bonus based on the Company’s actual results compared to its sales and target profit goals. No incentive bonus is paid unless greater than 80% of the target profit is achieved.

In general, the incentive bonus pool is allocated to the executive officers and staff employees according to the relative base compensation paid to them during the calendar year for which the incentive bonus is being paid.

EX-21

Exhibit 21

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Publix Alabama, LLC (filed in Alabama)

Publix Asset Management Company (filed in Florida)

PublixDirect, LLC (filed in Florida)

Publix Tennessee, LLC (filed in Florida)

Lone Palm Golf Club, LLC (filed in Florida)

Morning Song, LLC (filed in Florida)

PTO, LLC (filed in Florida)

Real Sub, LLC (filed in Florida)

EX-23

Exhibit 23

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Publix Super Markets, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No. 033-55867, No. 333-62705, No. 333-63544, No. 333-147049 and No. 333-177948) on Form S-8 of Publix Super Markets, Inc. of our reports dated February 29, 2012 with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, and the related financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, which reports appear in the December 31, 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Publix Super Markets, Inc.

KPMG LLP

Tampa, Florida

February 29, 2012

Certified Public Accountants

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Certification

I, William E. Crenshaw, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Publix Super Markets, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 29, 2012

/s/ William E. Crenshaw

William E. Crenshaw

Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Certification

I, David P. Phillips, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Publix Super Markets, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 29, 2012

/s/ David P. Phillips

David P. Phillips

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The certification set forth below is being submitted in connection with the Annual Report of Publix Super Markets, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2011 (the “Report”) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

I, William E. Crenshaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, that on the date hereof:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ William E. Crenshaw

William E. Crenshaw

Chief Executive Officer

February 29, 2012

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The certification set forth below is being submitted in connection with the Annual Report of Publix Super Markets, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2011 (the “Report”) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

I, David P. Phillips, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, that on the date hereof:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ David P. Phillips

David P. Phillips

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

February 29, 2012

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Change In Benefit Obligation And Fair Value Of Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit payments	$ (3,146,000)	$ (2,626,000)	$ (4,483,000)
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year	107,624,000	94,776,000
Current liability	4,029,000	3,841,000
Noncurrent liability	103,595,000	90,935,000
Total recognized liability	107,624,000	94,776,000
Change In Benefit Obligation [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year	94,776,000	86,890,000
Service cost	163,000	175,000
Interest cost	5,301,000	5,291,000
Actuarial loss	10,530,000	5,046,000
Benefit payments	(3,146,000)	(2,626,000)
Benefit obligation as of end of year	107,624,000	94,776,000
Change In Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year
Employer contributions	3,146,000	2,626,000
Benefit payments	(3,146,000)	(2,626,000)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year

XML

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Self-Insurance Reserves, Current [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 114,133	$ 119,375	$ 132,275
Additions Charged to Income	296,798	269,063	270,179
Deductions From Reserves	285,362	274,305	283,079
Balance at End of Year	125,569	114,133	119,375
Self-Insurance Reserves, Noncurrent [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	221,337	229,589	231,070
Deductions From Reserves	1,677	8,252	1,481
Balance at End of Year	219,660	221,337	229,589
Self-Insurance Reserves [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	335,470	348,964	363,345
Additions Charged to Income	296,798	269,063	270,179
Deductions From Reserves	287,039	282,557	284,560
Balance at End of Year	$ 345,229	$ 335,470	$ 348,964

XML

Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves	$ 114,522	$ 113,557
Retirement plan contributions	48,825	44,686
Postretirement benefit cost	41,515	36,551
Reserves not currently deductible	18,047	24,731
Inventory capitalization	11,687	12,650
Advance purchase allowances	6,454	7,768
Other	4,357	9,378
Total deferred tax assets	245,407	249,321
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation	491,485	409,736
Other	11,324	6,154
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ 502,809	$ 415,890

XML

Income Taxes (Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Current
Federal	$ 592,275	$ 601,098	$ 518,269
State	81,684	79,451	67,985
Current total income taxes	673,959	680,549	586,254
Deferred
Federal	90,486	23,778	28,064
State	5,362	(3,056)	(1,046)
Deferred total income taxes	95,848	20,722	27,018
Federal, current and deferred	682,761	624,876	546,333
State, current and deferred	87,046	76,395	66,939
Income tax expense (benefit), total	$ 769,807	$ 701,271	$ 613,272

XML

Investments (Summary Of Investments Classified As AFS) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 4,180,376,000	$ 3,019,633,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	92,236,000	89,952,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	19,357,000	13,552,000
Fair Value	4,253,255,000	3,096,033,000
Tax Exempt Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,488,135,000	1,932,466,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	36,657,000	13,308,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	550,000	8,322,000
Fair Value	2,524,242,000	1,937,452,000
Taxable Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,226,136,000	867,430,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	20,015,000	16,108,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,514,000	2,542,000
Fair Value	1,244,637,000	880,996,000
Restricted Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	170,000,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	3,019,000
Fair Value	166,981,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	296,105,000	219,737,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	35,564,000	60,536,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	14,274,000	2,688,000
Fair Value	$ 317,395,000	$ 277,585,000

XML

Consolidation Of Joint Ventures And Long-Term Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Consolidation Of Joint Ventures And Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Aggregate Annual Maturities And Scheduled Payments Of Long-Term Debt

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2012	$	15,124
2013		45,401
2014		38,320
2015		8,550
2016		9,257
Thereafter		17,932
	$	134,584

XML

Commitments And Contingencies (Total Rental Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Minimum rentals	$ 410,590	$ 410,390	$ 437,857
Contingent rentals	110,900	117,249	123,736
Sublease rental income	(4,699)	(5,912)	(5,953)
Total rental expense	$ 516,791	$ 521,727	$ 555,640

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Actuarial Assumptions In Calculation Of Year End Benefit Obligation) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.60%	5.70%	6.20%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%

XML

Consolidation Of Joint Ventures And Long-Term Debt (Aggregate Annual Maturities And Scheduled Payments Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidation Of Joint Ventures And Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
2012	$ 15,124
2013	45,401
2014	38,320
2015	8,550
2016	9,257
Thereafter	17,932
Long-term debt	$ 134,584

XML

Correction Of Error (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 months	Dec. 25, 2010
Correction Of Error [Abstract]
Period during which the company is required to purchase the shares at fair value after distribution of the shares from the ESOP, months	15.0
Decrease in permanent equity		$ 2,016,696,000
Increase in temporary equity		$ 2,016,696,000

XML

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Federal tax at statutory tax rate	$ 791,621	$ 713,796	$ 621,150
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)	56,580	49,657	43,511
ESOP dividend	(46,675)	(40,718)	(36,033)
Other, net	(31,719)	(21,464)	(15,356)
Income tax expense (benefit), total	$ 769,807	$ 701,271	$ 613,272

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends, per share	$ 0.53	$ 0.46	$ 0.41
Contribution of shares to retirement plans, shares	12,508	14,363	15,013
Acquired shares from stockholders, shares	23,513	23,731	37,895
Sale of shares to stockholders, shares	9,711	9,771	9,482
Retirement of shares, shares	14,278	14,820	16,929

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Actuarial Assumptions In Calculation Of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost) (Details) (Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	5.70%	6.20%	6.40%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%

XML

Quarterly Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Information [Abstract]

Summary Of Quarterly Results Of Operations

	Quarter
	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
2011
Revenues		$6,836,402		6,621,633		6,425,379		7,295,350
Costs and expenses		6,264,682		6,079,262		5,978,544		6,721,351
Net earnings		398,167		382,369		311,902		399,528
Basic and diluted earnings per share		0.51		0.48		0.40		0.51
2010
Revenues		$6,548,665		6,261,831		6,086,076		6,431,482
Costs and expenses		6,024,959		5,762,828		5,676,395		5,942,548
Net earnings		364,399		348,424		283,222		342,102
Basic and diluted earnings per share		0.47		0.44		0.36		0.44

XML

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Total Rental Expense

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Minimum rentals	$	410,590			410,390			437,857
Contingent rentals		110,900			117,249			123,736
Sublease rental income		(4,699	)		(5,912	)		(5,953	)
	$	516,791			521,727			555,640

Future Minimum Lease Payments

Year	Minimum Rental Commitments		Sublease Rental Income		Net
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2012		$   423,516		3,975		419,541
2013		407,277		3,831		403,446
2014		380,002		3,309		376,693
2015		351,137		1,025		350,112
2016		326,609		406		326,203
Thereafter		2,385,617		414		2,385,203
		$4,274,158		12,960		4,261,198

XML

Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 months	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Compensation expense (ESOP)	$ 267,099,000	$ 253,093,000	$ 234,336,000
Period during which the company is required to purchase the shares at fair value after distribution of the shares from the ESOP, months	15.0
Distributed shares subject to put option, fair value	116,824,000	114,815,000
ESOP, shares cost	2,020,393,000	1,901,881,000
Common stock related to ESOP	2,137,217,000	2,016,696,000
ESOP shares, fair value	4,917,283,000	4,887,626,000
Maximum contribution percentage of employees' eligible annual compensation	10.00%
Percentage of company match approved for eligible contributions	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Percentage of eligible wages for matching contributions	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Amount of maximum match per employee	750	750	750
Expense for 401(k) match	$ 24,141,000	$ 22,454,000	$ 21,774,000

XML

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Percent of cost for inventories	84.00%	85.00%
Inventories and current assets excess if reported as FIFO	$ 346,558,000	$ 279,413,000
Useful life of computer software, years	3
Amounts capitalized on computer software costs	9,818,000	7,514,000	11,959,000
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, AFS securities	72,879,000	76,400,000
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, AFS securities, tax effect	28,176,000	29,536,000
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, unfunded postretirement benefit obligation	23,536,000	14,077,000
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, unfunded postretirement benefit obligation, less tax effect	9,094,000	5,439,000
Cooperative advertising allowances recognized	8,898,000	10,715,000	7,982,000
Advertising costs	$ 202,405,000	$ 191,788,000	$ 180,159,000
Building And Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum years	10
Estimated useful life, maximum years	40
Furniture, Fixtures And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum years	3
Estimated useful life, maximum years	20
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum years	5
Estimated useful life, maximum years	40

XML

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Fair Value Measurements Of AFS Securities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value of available-for-sale securities	$ 4,253,255	$ 3,096,033
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value of available-for-sale securities	473,099	223,655
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value of available-for-sale securities	3,780,156	2,872,378
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value of available-for-sale securities

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Common Stock (Acquired From) Sold To Stock-Holders [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Losses) [Member]	Common Stock Related To ESOP [Member]	Total
Balances at Dec. 27, 2008	$ 793,966	$ 806,526	$ 4,055,432		$ (12,626)	$ (1,777,153)	$ 3,866,145
Comprehensive earnings			1,161,442		55,831		1,217,273
Cash dividends			(325,295)				(325,295)
Contribution of shares to retirement plans	3,522	31,594		206,589			241,705
Acquired shares from stockholders				(629,453)			(629,453)
Sale of shares to stockholders	7	(151)		152,240			152,096
Retirement of shares	(16,929)		(253,695)	270,624
Change for ESOP related shares						(85,197)	(85,197)
Balances at Dec. 26, 2009	780,566	837,969	4,637,884		43,205	(1,862,350)	4,437,274
Comprehensive earnings			1,338,147		(4,979)		1,333,168
Cash dividends			(364,087)				(364,087)
Contribution of shares to retirement plans	12,968	214,414		21,813			249,195
Acquired shares from stockholders				(436,224)			(436,224)
Sale of shares to stockholders	2,255	39,625		137,034			178,914
Retirement of shares	(14,820)		(262,557)	277,377
Change for ESOP related shares						(154,346)	(154,346)
Balances at Dec. 25, 2010	780,969	1,092,008	5,349,387		38,226	(2,016,696)	5,243,894
Comprehensive earnings			1,491,966		(7,965)		1,484,001
Cash dividends			(418,680)				(418,680)
Contribution of shares to retirement plans	10,064	202,761		48,599			261,424
Acquired shares from stockholders				(497,570)			(497,570)
Sale of shares to stockholders	2,920	60,112		143,213			206,245
Retirement of shares	(14,278)		(291,480)	305,758
Change for ESOP related shares						(120,521)	(120,521)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 779,675	$ 1,354,881	$ 6,131,193		$ 30,261	$ (2,137,217)	$ 6,158,793

XML

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009	Dec. 29, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Workers' compensation self-insurance reserves				$ 170,000,000
Total realized gains on sales of AFS securities	35,864,000	28,935,000	21,423,000
Total realized losses on sales and OTTI of AFS securities	15,978,000	4,419,000	28,224,000
Number of investment issues contributing to the total unrealized loss	298
Total unrealized losses	19,357,000	13,552,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
OTTI losses	$ 6,082,000		$ 19,283,000

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Estimated Benefit Payments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
2012	$ 4,029
2013	4,291
2014	4,539
2015	4,776
2016	5,002
2017 through 2021	28,663
Thereafter	56,324
Total estimated future benefit payments	$ 107,624

XML

Quarterly Information (Summary Of Quarterly Results Of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 24, 2011	Jun. 25, 2011	Mar. 26, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010	Jun. 26, 2010	Mar. 27, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Quarterly Information [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 7,295,350	$ 6,425,379	$ 6,621,633	$ 6,836,402	$ 6,431,482	$ 6,086,076	$ 6,261,831	$ 6,548,665	$ 27,178,764	$ 25,328,054	$ 24,514,960
Costs and expenses	6,721,351	5,978,544	6,079,262	6,264,682	5,942,548	5,676,395	5,762,828	6,024,959	25,043,839	23,406,730	22,834,047
Net earnings	$ 399,528	$ 311,902	$ 382,369	$ 398,167	$ 342,102	$ 283,222	$ 348,424	$ 364,399	$ 1,491,966	$ 1,338,147	$ 1,161,442
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 0.51	$ 0.40	$ 0.48	$ 0.51	$ 0.44	$ 0.36	$ 0.44	$ 0.47	$ 1.90	$ 1.70	$ 1.47

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 366,853	$ 605,901
Short-term investments	447,972	336,282
Trade receivables	542,990	492,311
Merchandise inventories	1,361,709	1,359,028
Deferred tax assets	59,400	59,126
Prepaid expenses	24,316	25,354
Total current assets	2,803,240	2,878,002
Long-term investments	3,805,283	2,759,751
Other noncurrent assets	171,179	168,398
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	592,843	504,415
Buildings and improvements	2,062,833	1,918,940
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	4,540,988	4,488,139
Leasehold improvements	1,321,646	1,293,578
Construction in progress	103,006	110,909
Property, plant and equipment gross	8,621,316	8,315,981
Accumulated depreciation	(4,132,786)	(3,963,045)
Net property, plant and equipment	4,488,530	4,352,936
Assets, total	11,268,232	10,159,087
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,133,120	1,156,181
Accrued expenses:
Contribution to retirement plans	405,818	376,002
Self-insurance reserves	125,569	114,133
Salaries and wages	110,207	113,794
Other	221,713	249,633
Current portion of long-term debt	15,124	72,879
Federal and state income taxes	39,225	23,462
Total current liabilities	2,050,776	2,106,084
Deferred tax liabilities	316,802	225,695
Self-insurance reserves	219,660	221,337
Accrued postretirement benefit cost	103,595	90,935
Long-term debt	119,460	76,482
Other noncurrent liabilities	116,482	132,962
Total liabilities	2,926,775	2,853,495
Common stock related to Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)	2,137,217	2,016,696
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 779,675 shares in 2011 and 780,969 shares in 2010	779,675	780,969
Additional paid-in capital	1,354,881	1,092,008
Retained earnings	6,131,193	5,349,387
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	30,261	38,226
Common stock related to ESOP	(2,137,217)	(2,016,696)
Total stockholders' equity	6,158,793	5,243,894
Noncontrolling interests	45,447	45,002
Total equity	8,341,457	7,305,592
Commitments and contingencies
Liabilities and stockholders' equity, total	$ 11,268,232	$ 10,159,087

XML

Income Taxes (Total Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense	$ 769,807	$ 701,271	$ 613,272
Earnings [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense	769,807	701,271	613,272
Other Comprehensive (Losses) Earnings [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense	(5,015)	(3,135)	35,159
Total [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense	$ 764,792	$ 698,136	$ 648,431

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings [Abstract]
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale (AFS) securities, tax effect	$ 6,324	$ 8,251	$ 33,777
Reclassification adjustment for net realized (gain) loss on AFS securities, tax effect	(7,684)	(9,473)	2,628
Adjustment to postretirement benefit plan obligation, tax effect	$ (3,655)	$ (1,913)	$ (1,246)

XML

Investments (Summary Of Temporarily Impaired AFS Securities By The Time Period Impaired) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 593,647,000	$ 809,778,000
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	18,968,000	12,280,000
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,915,000	7,755,000
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	389,000	1,272,000
Total, Fair Value	601,562,000	817,533,000
Total, Unrealized Losses	19,357,000	13,552,000
Tax Exempt Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	138,892,000	624,553,000
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	536,000	8,321,000
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,026,000	54,000
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	14,000	1,000
Total, Fair Value	144,918,000	624,607,000
Total, Unrealized Losses	550,000	8,322,000
Taxable Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	201,538,000	155,160,000
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	1,514,000	2,045,000
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value		4,130,000
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses		497,000
Total, Fair Value	201,538,000	159,290,000
Total, Unrealized Losses	1,514,000	2,542,000
Restricted Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	166,981,000
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	3,019,000
Total, Fair Value	166,981,000
Total, Unrealized Losses	3,019,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	86,236,000	30,065,000
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	13,899,000	1,914,000
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,889,000	3,571,000
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	375,000	774,000
Total, Fair Value	88,125,000	33,636,000
Total, Unrealized Losses	$ 14,274,000	$ 2,688,000

XML

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Components Of Property, Plant And Equipment And Depreciation

Buildings and improvements	10– 40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3– 20 years
Leasehold improvements	5– 40 years

XML

Consolidation Of Joint Ventures And Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying amounts of assets of the consolidated JVs	$ 177,226,000
Carrying amounts of liabilities of the consolidated JVs	76,249,000
Loans assumed	$ 34,299,000
Debt instrument stated rate, minimum	4.50%
Debt instrument stated rate, maximum	5.30%
Shopping Center Loans [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt instrument stated rate, minimum	5.10%
Debt instrument stated rate, maximum	7.10%
Minimum [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Basis points added to LIBOR to determine variable interest rate	1.95%
Debt instrument maturity date	July 2012
Minimum [Member] | Shopping Center Loans [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date	September 2013
Maximum [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Basis points added to LIBOR to determine variable interest rate	2.50%
Debt instrument maturity date	January 2015
Maximum [Member] | Shopping Center Loans [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date	June 2024

XML

Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Summary Of Investments Classified As AFS

			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Tax exempt bonds	$	2,488,135		36,657		550		2,524,242
Taxable bonds		1,226,136		20,015		1,514		1,244,637
Restricted investments		170,000		---		3,019		166,981
Equity securities		296,105		35,564		14,274		317,395
	$	4,180,376		92,236		19,357		4,253,255
2010
Tax exempt bonds	$	1,932,466		13,308		8,322		1,937,452
Taxable bonds		867,430		16,108		2,542		880,996
Equity securities		219,737		60,536		2,688		277,585
	$	3,019,633		89,952		13,552		3,096,033

Amortized Cost And Fair Value Of Debt And Equity Securities Classified As AFS By Maturities

	2011				2010
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	445,296		447,972		332,992		336,282
Due after one year through five years		2,492,484		2,524,020		1,499,176		1,506,731
Due after five years through ten years		348,427		356,808		337,677		335,056
Due after ten years		428,064		440,079		630,051		640,379
		3,714,271		3,768,879		2,799,896		2,818,448
Restricted investments		170,000		166,981		---		---
Equity securities		296,105		317,395		219,737		277,585
	$	4,180,376		4,253,255		3,019,633		3,096,033

Summary Of Temporarily Impaired AFS Securities By The Time Period Impaired

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
					(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Tax exempt bonds	$	138,892		536		6,026		14		144,918		550
Taxable bonds		201,538		1,514		---		---		201,538		1,514
Restricted investments		166,981		3,019		---		---		166,981		3,019
Equity securities		86,236		13,899		1,889		375		88,125		14,274
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	593,647		18,968		7,915		389		601,562		19,357
2010
Tax exempt bonds	$	624,553		8,321		54		1		624,607		8,322
Taxable bonds		155,160		2,045		4,130		497		159,290		2,542
Equity securities		30,065		1,914		3,571		774		33,636		2,688
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	809,778		12,280		7,755		1,272		817,533		13,552

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$ 26,980,492	$ 25,209,753	$ 24,231,980
Cash paid to employees and suppliers	(24,024,194)	(22,253,046)	(21,646,622)
Income taxes paid	(658,213)	(686,037)	(553,235)
Self-insured claims paid	(285,362)	(274,305)	(283,079)
Dividends and interest received	139,727	95,794	73,087
Other operating cash receipts	203,112	184,760	185,331
Other operating cash payments	(14,375)	(10,951)	(9,230)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,341,187	2,265,968	1,998,232
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for property, plant and equipment	(602,952)	(468,530)	(693,489)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	5,312	2,815	4,150
Payment for investments	(2,062,775)	(1,598,759)	(1,133,449)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments	841,028	655,799	777,381
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,819,387)	(1,408,675)	(1,045,407)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for acquisition of common stock	(497,570)	(436,224)	(629,453)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	206,245	178,914	152,096
Dividends paid	(418,680)	(364,087)	(325,295)
Repayments of long-term debt	(49,076)	(10,875)	(1,138)
Other, net	(1,767)	10,364	19,668
Net cash used in financing activities	(760,848)	(621,908)	(784,122)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(239,048)	235,385	168,703
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	605,901	370,516	201,813
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	366,853	605,901	370,516
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings	1,491,966	1,338,147	1,161,442
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	492,639	507,341	496,106
Retirement contributions paid or payable in common stock	291,240	275,547	256,110
Deferred income taxes	95,848	20,722	27,018
Loss on disposal and impairment of property, plant and equipment	13,734	19,896	32,482
(Gain) loss on AFS securities	(19,886)	(24,516)	6,801
Net amortization of investments	80,890	48,113	15,625
Change in operating assets and liabilities providing (requiring) cash:
Trade receivables	(50,782)	16,165	(140,082)
Merchandise inventories	(3,132)	26,245	2,302
Prepaid expenses and other noncurrent assets	(15,635)	(8,054)	(5,825)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(51,741)	63,852	103,014
Self-insurance reserves	9,762	(13,494)	(14,381)
Federal and state income taxes	15,763	(5,113)	33,186
Other noncurrent liabilities	(9,479)	1,117	24,434
Total adjustments	849,221	927,821	836,790
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 2,341,187	$ 2,265,968	$ 1,998,232

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	779,675,000	780,969,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	779,675,000	780,969,000

XML

Commitments And Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

(8) Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Operating Leases

The Company conducts a major portion of its retail operations from leased premises. Initial terms of the leases are typically 20 years, followed by renewal options at five year intervals, and may include rent escalation clauses. Minimum rentals represent fixed lease obligations, including insurance and maintenance to the extent they are fixed in the lease. Contingent rentals represent payment of variable lease obligations, including real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and, for certain premises, additional rentals based on a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated minimums (excess rent). The payment of variable real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance is generally based on the Company's pro-rata share of total shopping center square footage. The Company recognizes rent expense for operating leases with rent escalation clauses on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term. The Company estimates excess rent, where applicable, based on annual sales projections and uses the straight-line method to amortize this cost to rent expense. The annual sales projections are reviewed periodically and adjusted if necessary. Additionally, the Company has operating leases for certain transportation and other equipment.

Total rental expense for 2011, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Minimum rentals	$	410,590			410,390			437,857
Contingent rentals		110,900			117,249			123,736
Sublease rental income		(4,699	)		(5,912	)		(5,953	)
	$	516,791			521,727			555,640

As of December 31, 2011, future minimum lease payments for all noncancelable operating leases and related subleases are as follows:

Year	Minimum Rental Commitments		Sublease Rental Income		Net
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2012		$   423,516		3,975		419,541
2013		407,277		3,831		403,446
2014		380,002		3,309		376,693
2015		351,137		1,025		350,112
2016		326,609		406		326,203
Thereafter		2,385,617		414		2,385,203
		$4,274,158		12,960		4,261,198

The Company also owns shopping centers which are leased to tenants for minimum monthly rentals plus, in certain instances, contingent rentals. Minimum rentals represent fixed lease commitments, including insurance and maintenance. Contingent rentals represent variable lease obligations including real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and, in certain instances, excess rent. Total rental amounts included in trade receivables were $1,827,000 and $1,459,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. Rental income was $36,057,000, $32,576,000 and $25,590,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The amounts of minimum future rental payments to be received under noncancelable operating leases are $34,381,000, $28,711,000, $21,897,000, $15,433,000 and $10,634,000 for the years 2012 through 2016, respectively, and $59,964,000 thereafter.

(b) Letters of Credit

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $10,200,000 outstanding in trade letters of credit and $3,700,000 in standby letters of credit to support certain purchase obligations.

(c) Litigation

The Company is a party in various legal claims and actions considered in the normal course of business. The Company believes its recorded reserves are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities. The estimated amount of reasonably possible losses for claims, individually and in the aggregate, is considered to be immaterial. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

XML

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 07, 2012	Jun. 24, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000081061
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		778,373,000
Entity Public Float			$ 8,232,213,000

XML

Correction Of Error

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Correction Of Error [Abstract]

Correction Of Error

(9) Correction of Error

The Company's ESOP includes a put option for shares of the Company's common stock distributed from the ESOP. Shares are distributed from the ESOP primarily to separated vested participants and certain eligible participants who elect to diversify their account balances. Since the Company's common stock is not currently traded on an established securities market, if the owners of distributed shares desire to sell their shares, the Company is required to purchase the shares at fair value for a 15-month period after distribution of the shares from the ESOP. Due to the Company's obligation under the put option, the ESOP related shares should be classified as temporary equity in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets. The ESOP related shares were previously classified in permanent equity. This correction of an error resulted in the December 25, 2010 permanent equity decreasing by $2,016,696,000 and temporary equity increasing by $2,016,696,000 from amounts previously reported. See Note 6.

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Revenues:
Sales	$ 26,967,389	$ 25,134,054	$ 24,319,716
Other operating income	211,375	194,000	195,244
Total revenues	27,178,764	25,328,054	24,514,960
Costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise sold	19,520,370	18,111,443	17,592,679
Operating and administrative expenses	5,523,469	5,295,287	5,241,368
Total costs and expenses	25,043,839	23,406,730	22,834,047
Operating profit	2,134,925	1,921,324	1,680,913
Investment income	99,039	91,835	87,555
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(6,082)		(19,283)
Investment income, net	92,957	91,835	68,272
Other income, net	33,891	26,259	25,529
Earnings before income tax expense	2,261,773	2,039,418	1,774,714
Income tax expense	769,807	701,271	613,272
Net earnings	$ 1,491,966	$ 1,338,147	$ 1,161,442
Weighted average shares outstanding	784,815	786,378	788,835
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 1.90	$ 1.70	$ 1.47

XML

Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

(3) Investments

Following is a summary of AFS securities as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Tax exempt bonds	$	2,488,135		36,657		550		2,524,242
Taxable bonds		1,226,136		20,015		1,514		1,244,637
Restricted investments		170,000		---		3,019		166,981
Equity securities		296,105		35,564		14,274		317,395
	$	4,180,376		92,236		19,357		4,253,255
2010
Tax exempt bonds	$	1,932,466		13,308		8,322		1,937,452
Taxable bonds		867,430		16,108		2,542		880,996
Equity securities		219,737		60,536		2,688		277,585
	$	3,019,633		89,952		13,552		3,096,033

On December 29, 2010, the Company funded a restricted trust account in the amount of $170,000,000 for the benefit of its insurance carrier related to the Company's workers' compensation self-insurance reserves in lieu of providing a standby letter of credit or other security. The restricted trust account is invested in a mutual fund primarily comprised of short-term, investment grade bonds. Earnings from the investments held in the restricted trust account are paid to the Company in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement.

Realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $35,864,000, $28,935,000 and $21,423,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Realized losses on sales and OTTI of AFS securities totaled $15,978,000, $4,419,000 and $28,224,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company recorded OTTI losses on equity securities of $6,082,000 and $19,283,000 in 2011 and 2009, respectively. There were no OTTI losses on equity securities in 2010. There were no OTTI losses on debt securities in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

The amortized cost and fair value of AFS securities by expected maturity as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010 are as follows:

	2011				2010
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	445,296		447,972		332,992		336,282
Due after one year through five years		2,492,484		2,524,020		1,499,176		1,506,731
Due after five years through ten years		348,427		356,808		337,677		335,056
Due after ten years		428,064		440,079		630,051		640,379
		3,714,271		3,768,879		2,799,896		2,818,448
Restricted investments		170,000		166,981		---		---
Equity securities		296,105		317,395		219,737		277,585
	$	4,180,376		4,253,255		3,019,633		3,096,033

Following is a summary of temporarily impaired AFS securities by the time period impaired as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
					(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Tax exempt bonds	$	138,892		536		6,026		14		144,918		550
Taxable bonds		201,538		1,514		---		---		201,538		1,514
Restricted investments		166,981		3,019		---		---		166,981		3,019
Equity securities		86,236		13,899		1,889		375		88,125		14,274
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	593,647		18,968		7,915		389		601,562		19,357
2010
Tax exempt bonds	$	624,553		8,321		54		1		624,607		8,322
Taxable bonds		155,160		2,045		4,130		497		159,290		2,542
Equity securities		30,065		1,914		3,571		774		33,636		2,688
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	809,778		12,280		7,755		1,272		817,533		13,552

There are 298 AFS securities contributing to the total unrealized loss of $19,357,000 as of December 31, 2011. Unrealized losses related to debt securities are primarily driven by interest rate volatility impacting the market value of certain bonds. The Company continues to receive scheduled principal and interest payments on these debt securities. Unrealized losses related to the equity securities are primarily driven by stock market volatility.

XML

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

(2) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of certain of the Company's financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and accounts payable, approximate their respective carrying amounts due to their short-term maturity.

The fair value of AFS securities is based on market prices using the following measurement categories:

Level 1 – Fair value is determined by using quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. AFS securities that are included in this category are primarily a mutual fund and equity securities.

Level 2 – Fair value is determined by using other than quoted prices. By using observable inputs (for example, benchmark yields, interest rates, reported trades and broker dealer quotes), the fair value is determined through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities and matrix pricing of corporate and municipal bonds by using pricing of similar bonds based on coupons, ratings and maturities. In addition, the value of collateralized mortgage obligation securities is determined by using models to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios for these securities which have prepayment features. AFS securities that are included in this category are primarily debt securities (tax exempt and taxable bonds).

Level 3 – Fair value is determined by using other than observable inputs. Fair value is determined by using the best information available in the circumstances and requires significant management judgment or estimation. No AFS securities are currently included in this category.

Following is a summary of fair value measurements for AFS securities as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

	Fair
	Value	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(Amounts are in thousands)
December 31, 2011	$4,253,255		473,099		3,780,156		---
December 25, 2010	3,096,033		223,655		2,872,378		---

XML

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements Of AFS Securities

	Fair
	Value	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(Amounts are in thousands)
December 31, 2011	$4,253,255		473,099		3,780,156		---
December 25, 2010	3,096,033		223,655		2,872,378		---

XML

Quarterly Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Information [Abstract]

Quarterly Information

(10) Quarterly Information (unaudited)

Following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for 2011 and 2010. All quarters have 13 weeks, except the fourth quarter of 2011 which has 14 weeks.

	Quarter
	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
2011
Revenues		$6,836,402		6,621,633		6,425,379		7,295,350
Costs and expenses		6,264,682		6,079,262		5,978,544		6,721,351
Net earnings		398,167		382,369		311,902		399,528
Basic and diluted earnings per share		0.51		0.48		0.40		0.51
2010
Revenues		$6,548,665		6,261,831		6,086,076		6,431,482
Costs and expenses		6,024,959		5,762,828		5,676,395		5,942,548
Net earnings		364,399		348,424		283,222		342,102
Basic and diluted earnings per share		0.47		0.44		0.36		0.44

XML

Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Retirement Plans

(6) Retirement Plans

The Company has a trusteed, noncontributory ESOP for the benefit of eligible employees. The Company recognizes an expense related to the Company's discretionary contribution to the ESOP based on a percent of net earnings before taxes that is approved by the Board of Directors each year. ESOP contributions can be made in Company common stock or cash. Compensation expense recorded for contributions to this plan was $267,099,000, $253,093,000 and $234,336,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company's ESOP includes a put option for shares of the Company's common stock distributed from the ESOP. Shares are distributed from the ESOP primarily to separated vested participants and certain eligible participants who elect to diversify their account balances. Since the Company's common stock is not currently traded on an established securities market, if the owners of distributed shares desire to sell their shares, the Company is required to purchase the shares at fair value for a 15-month period after distribution of the shares from the ESOP. The fair value of distributed shares subject to the put option totaled $116,824,000 and $114,815,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. The cost of the shares held by the ESOP totaled $2,020,393,000 and $1,901,881,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. Due to the Company's obligation under the put option, the distributed shares subject to the put option and the shares held by the ESOP (collectively referred to as ESOP related shares) are classified as temporary equity in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $2,137,217,000 and $2,016,696,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. The fair value of the shares held by the ESOP totaled $4,917,283,000 and $4,887,626,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. See Note 9.

The Company has a 401(k) plan for the benefit of eligible employees. The 401(k) plan is a voluntary defined contribution plan. Eligible employees may contribute up to 10% of their eligible annual compensation, subject to the maximum contribution limits established by federal law. The Company may make a discretionary annual matching contribution to eligible participants of this plan as determined by the Board of Directors. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Board of Directors approved a match of 50% of eligible contributions up to 3% of eligible wages, not to exceed a maximum match of $750 per employee. The match, which is determined as of the last day of the plan year and paid in the subsequent plan year, is in common stock of the Company. Compensation expense recorded for the Company's match to the 401(k) plan was $24,141,000, $22,454,000 and $21,774,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company intends to continue its retirement plans; however, the right to modify, amend, terminate or merge these plans has been reserved. In the event of termination, all amounts contributed under the plans must be paid to the participants or their beneficiaries.

XML

Consolidation Of Joint Ventures And Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Consolidation Of Joint Ventures And Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Consolidation Of Joint Ventures And Long-Term Debt

(4) Consolidation of Joint Ventures and Long-Term Debt

From time to time, the Company enters into JVs, in the legal form of limited liability companies, with certain real estate developers to partner in the development of shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. Effective December 27, 2009, the Company adopted a new accounting standard on variable interest entities (VIE) that resulted in the consolidation of certain JVs in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. The Company is considered to have a controlling financial interest in a JV when it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the JV that most significantly impact the JV's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the JV that could potentially be significant to such JV.

The Company evaluates a JV using specific criteria to determine whether the Company has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of the JV. Factors considered in determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary include risk and reward sharing, experience and financial condition of the other JV members, voting rights, involvement in routine capital and operating decisions and each member's influence over the JV owned shopping center's economic performance.

Generally, most major JV decision making is shared between all members. In particular, the use and sale of JV assets, business plans and budgets are generally required to be approved by all members. However, the Company, through its anchor tenant operating lease agreement, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly influence the economic performance of the JV owned shopping center. Additionally, through its member equity interest in the JV, the Company will receive a significant portion of the JV's benefits or is obligated to absorb a significant portion of the JV's losses.

As of December 31, 2011, the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated JVs were $177,226,000 and $76,249,000, respectively. The assets are owned by, and the liabilities are obligations of, the JVs, not the Company, except for a portion of the long-term debt of certain JVs guaranteed by the Company. The JVs are financed with capital contributions from the members, loans and/or the cash flows generated by the JV owned shopping centers once in operation. Total earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were immaterial. The Company's involvement with these JVs does not have a significant effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company's long-term debt results primarily from the consolidation of loans of certain JVs and loans assumed in connection with the acquisition of certain shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. The Company assumed loans totaling $34,299,000 during 2011. No loans were assumed during 2010. Maturities of JV loans range from July 2012 through January 2015 and have either (1) fixed interest rates ranging from 4.5% to 5.3% or (2) variable interest rates based on a LIBOR index plus basis points ranging from 195 basis points to 250 basis points. Maturities of assumed shopping center loans range from September 2013 through June 2024 and have fixed interest rates ranging from 5.1% to 7.1%.

As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt are as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2012	$	15,124
2013		45,401
2014		38,320
2015		8,550
2016		9,257
Thereafter		17,932
	$	134,584

XML

Postretirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Postretirement Benefits

(5) Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides postretirement life insurance benefits for certain salaried and hourly full-time employees who meet the eligibility requirements. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company amended the retiree life insurance benefit under its Group Life Insurance Plan. To receive the retiree life insurance benefit after the amendment, an employee must have had at least five years of full-time service and the employee's age plus years of credited service must have equaled 65 or greater as of October 1, 2001. At retirement, such employees also must be at least age 55 with at least 10 years of full-time service to be eligible to receive postretirement life insurance benefits.

Actuarial losses were recognized in other comprehensive earnings of $9,459,000, less tax effect of $3,655,000, in 2011, $4,951,000, less tax effect of $1,913,000, in 2010 and $3,225,000, less tax effect of $1,246,000, in 2009.

The Company made benefit payments to beneficiaries of retirees of $3,146,000, $2,626,000 and $4,483,000 during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets and the unfunded status of the plan measured as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

		0000000			0000000
	2011			2010
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year	$	94,776			86,890
Service cost		163			175
Interest cost		5,301			5,291
Actuarial loss		10,530			5,046
Benefit payments		(3,146	)		(2,626	)
Benefit obligation as of end of year		107,624			94,776
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year		---			---
Employer contributions		3,146			2,626
Benefit payments		(3,146	)		(2,626	)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year		---			---
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year	$	107,624			94,776
Current liability	$	4,029			3,841
Noncurrent liability		103,595			90,935
Total recognized liability	$	107,624			94,776

The estimated future benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2012	$	4,029
2013		4,291
2014		4,539
2015		4,776
2016		5,002
2017 through 2021		28,663
Thereafter		56,324
	$	107,624

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost consists of the following components:

		00000		00000		00000
	2011		2010		2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Service cost	$	163		175		194
Interest cost		5,301		5,291		5,204
Amortization of actuarial losses		1,071		95		---
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	6,535		5,561		5,398

Actuarial losses are amortized from accumulated other comprehensive earnings into net periodic postretirement benefit cost over future years when the accumulation of such losses exceeds 10% of the year end benefit obligation.

The measurement date is the Company's fiscal year end. The net periodic postretirement benefit cost is based on assumptions determined at the prior year end measurement date.

Following are the actuarial assumptions that were used in the calculation of the year end benefit obligation:

	2011		2010		2009
Discount rate		4.6%		5.7%		6.2%
Rate of compensation increase		4.0%		4.0%		4.0%

Following are the actuarial assumptions that were used in the calculation of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost:

	2011		2010		2009
Discount rate		5.7%		6.2%		6.4%
Rate of compensation increase		4.0%		4.0%		4.0%

The Company determined the discount rate using a yield curve methodology based on high quality corporate bonds with a rating of AA or better.

XML

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

(7) Income Taxes

Total income taxes for 2011, 2010 and 2009 were allocated as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Earnings	$	769,807			701,271			613,272
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings		(5,015	)		(3,135	)		35,159
	$	764,792			698,136			648,431

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

	Current		Deferred			Total
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Federal	$	592,275		90,486			682,761
State		81,684		5,362			87,046
	$	673,959		95,848			769,807
2010
Federal	$	601,098		23,778			624,876
State		79,451		(3,056	)		76,395
	$	680,549		20,722			701,271
2009
Federal	$	518,269		28,064			546,333
State		67,985		(1,046	)		66,939
	$	586,254		27,018			613,272

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes at the federal statutory tax rate of 35% to earnings before income taxes compared to the Company's actual income tax expense is as follows:

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Federal tax at statutory tax rate	$	791,621			713,796			621,150
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)		56,580			49,657			43,511
ESOP dividend		(46,675	)		(40,718	)		(36,033	)
Other, net		(31,719	)		(21,464	)		(15,356	)
	$	769,807			701,271			613,272

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010 are as follows:

	2011		2010
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves	$	114,522		113,557
Retirement plan contributions		48,825		44,686
Postretirement benefit cost		41,515		36,551
Reserves not currently deductible		18,047		24,731
Inventory capitalization		11,687		12,650
Advance purchase allowances		6,454		7,768
Other		4,357		9,378
Total deferred tax assets	$	245,407		249,321
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation	$	491,485		409,736
Other		11,324		6,154
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	502,809		415,890

The Company expects the results of future operations and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities to generate sufficient taxable income to allow utilization of deferred tax assets; therefore, no valuation allowance has been recorded as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010.

The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The periods subject to examination for the Company's federal return are the 2008 through 2010 tax years, and the Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing the 2008 and 2009 tax years. The periods subject to examination for the Company's state returns are the 2007 through 2010 tax years. The Company believes that the outcome of any examination will not have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. As of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, the Company had immaterial accruals for income tax related interest expense.

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits in 2011 and 2010. Because the Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011, there will be no effect on the Company's effective income tax rate in future periods due to the recognition of unrecognized tax benefits.

XML

Investments (Amortized Cost And Fair Value Of Debt And Equity Securities Classified As AFS By Maturities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$ 445,296	$ 332,992
Due after one year through five years	2,492,484	1,499,176
Due after five years through ten years	348,427	337,677
Due after ten years	428,064	630,051
Available-for-sale securities, debt maturities, Amortized Cost	3,714,271	2,799,896
Total Amortized Cost	4,180,376	3,019,633
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	447,972	336,282
Due after one year through five years	2,524,020	1,506,731
Due after five years through ten years	356,808	335,056
Due after ten years	440,079	640,379
Available-for-sale securities, debt maturities, Fair Value	3,768,879	2,818,448
Fair Value of available-for-sale securities	4,253,255	3,096,033
Restricted Investments [Member]
Amortized Cost
Total Amortized Cost	170,000
Fair Value
Fair Value of available-for-sale securities	166,981
Equity Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost
Total Amortized Cost	296,105	219,737
Fair Value
Fair Value of available-for-sale securities	$ 317,395	$ 277,585

XML

Commitments And Contingencies (Future Minimum Lease Payments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Minimum Rental Commitments
2012	$ 423,516
2013	407,277
2014	380,002
2015	351,137
2016	326,609
Thereafter	2,385,617
Total, Minimum Rental Commitments	4,274,158
Sublease Rental Income
2012	3,975
2013	3,831
2014	3,309
2015	1,025
2016	406
Thereafter	414
Total, Sublease Rental Income	12,960
Net
2012	419,541
2013	403,446
2014	376,693
2015	350,112
2016	326,203
Thereafter	2,385,203
Total Net Minimum Rental Commitments	$ 4,261,198

XML

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business

(a) Business

 Publix Super Markets, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are in the primary business of operating retail food supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Company was founded in 1930 and later merged into another corporation that was originally incorporated in 1921. The Company has no other significant lines of business or industry segments. See percentage of consolidated sales by merchandise category on page 1.

Principles Of Consolidation

(b) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries and certain joint ventures (JV) in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year

(c) Fiscal Year

 The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal year 2011 includes 53 weeks and fiscal years 2010 and 2009 include 52 weeks.

Cash Equivalents

(d) Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Trade Receivables

(e) Trade Receivables

 Trade receivables primarily include amounts due from vendor allowances, debit and credit card sales and third party insurance pharmacy billings.

Inventories

(f) Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost for 84% and 85% of inventories was determined using the dollar value last-in, first-out method as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. The cost of the remaining inventories was determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The FIFO cost of inventory approximates replacement or current cost. The FIFO method is used to value manufactured, seasonal, certain perishable and other miscellaneous inventory items because of fluctuating costs and inconsistent product availability. The Company also reduces inventory for estimated losses related to shrink. If the FIFO method of valuing inventories had been used by the Company to value all inventories, then inventories and current assets would have been higher than reported by $346,558,000 and $279,413,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively.

Investments

(g) Investments

 All of the Company's debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale (AFS) and are carried at fair value. The Company evaluates whether AFS securities are other-than-temporarily impaired (OTTI) based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market value decline, the credit rating of the issuer or security, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments and the financial health and prospects of the issuer or security.

Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be OTTI are recognized in earnings and reported as OTTI losses. Debt securities with unrealized losses are considered OTTI if the Company intends to sell the debt security or if the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to any anticipated recovery. If the Company determines that a debt security is OTTI under these circumstances, the impairment recognized in earnings is measured as the difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value. A debt security is also determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost of the debt security. However, in this circumstance, if the Company does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the impairment recognized in earnings equals the estimated credit loss as measured by the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost of the debt security. Expected cash flows are discounted using the debt security's effective interest rate. An equity security is determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the cost of the equity security. Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be temporary are reported, net of tax, as other comprehensive losses and included as a component of stockholders' equity.

Interest and dividend income, amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts and realized gains and losses on AFS securities are included in investment income. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recognized as income on the ex-dividend date of the stock. The cost of AFS securities sold is based on the FIFO method.

Property, Plant And Equipment And Depreciation

(h) Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

 Assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases, if shorter, as follows:

Buildings and improvements	10– 40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3– 20 years
Leasehold improvements	5– 40 years

Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. The gain or loss realized on disposed assets or assets to be disposed of is recorded as operating and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Capitalized Computer Software Costs

(i) Capitalized Computer Software Costs

 The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. These costs are capitalized and amortized over a three year life. The amounts capitalized were $9,818,000, $7,514,000 and $11,959,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

(j) Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net book value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the net book value of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on expected discounted future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and are no longer depreciated. Long-lived assets, including buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment are evaluated for impairment at the supermarket level.

Self-Insurance

(k) Self-Insurance

 Self-insurance reserves are established for health care, fleet liability, general liability and workers' compensation claims. These reserves are determined based on actual claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported including, where necessary, actuarial studies. Actuarial projections of losses for general liability and workers' compensation claims are discounted. The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of the self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers' compensation claims. Historically, it has been infrequent for incurred claims to exceed these self-insurance limits.

Comprehensive Earnings

(l) Comprehensive Earnings

Comprehensive earnings include net earnings and other comprehensive earnings. Other comprehensive earnings include revenues, expenses, gains and losses that have been excluded from net earnings and recorded directly to stockholders' equity. Included in other comprehensive earnings for the Company are unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities and adjustments to the postretirement benefit plan obligation.

As of December 31, 2011, accumulated other comprehensive earnings included net unrealized gains on AFS securities of $72,879,000, less tax effect of $28,176,000, and an unfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $23,536,000, less tax effect of $9,094,000. As of December 25, 2010, accumulated other comprehensive earnings included net unrealized gains on AFS securities of $76,400,000, less tax effect of $29,536,000, and an unfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $14,077,000, less tax effect of $5,439,000.

Revenue Recognition

(m) Revenue Recognition

 Revenue is recognized at the point of sale for retail sales. Customer returns are immaterial. Vendor coupons that are reimbursed are accounted for as sales. Coupons and other sales incentives offered by the Company that are not reimbursed are recorded as a reduction of sales.

Sales Taxes

(n) Sales Taxes

The Company records sales net of applicable sales taxes.

Other Operating Income

(o) Other Operating Income

 Other operating income is recognized on a net revenue basis as earned. Other operating income includes income generated from other activities, primarily lottery commissions, automated teller transaction fees, commissions on licensee sales, vending machine commissions, mall gift card commissions, money transfer fees and coupon redemption income.

Cost Of Merchandise Sold

(p) Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes costs of inventory and costs related to in-store production. Cost of merchandise sold also includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and other costs of the Company's distribution network.

Vendor allowances and credits, including cooperative advertising allowances, received from a vendor in connection with the purchase or promotion of the vendor's products are recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold as earned. These allowances and credits are recognized as earned in accordance with the underlying agreement with the vendor and completion of the earnings process. Short-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a current liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements. Long-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a noncurrent liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements.

The amount of cooperative advertising allowances recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold was $8,898,000, $10,715,000 and $7,982,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Advertising Costs

(q) Advertising Costs

 Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $202,405,000, $191,788,000 and $180,159,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Other Income, Net

(r) Other Income, net

Other income, net includes rent received from tenants in owned shopping centers, net of related expenses, and other miscellaneous nonoperating income.

Income Taxes

(s) Income Taxes

 Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting bases and are subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities as a component of income tax expense.

Common Stock And Earnings Per Share

(t) Common Stock and Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same because the Company does not have options or other stock compensation programs that would impact the calculation of diluted earnings per share. All shares owned by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) are included in the earnings per share calculations. Cash dividends paid to the ESOP, as well as dividends on all other common stock shares, are reflected as a reduction of retained earnings. All common stock shares, including ESOP and 401(k) Plan shares, receive one vote per share and have the same dividend rights. The voting rights for ESOP shares allocated to participants' accounts are passed through to the participants. The Trustee of the 401(k) Plan votes the shares held in that plan.

Use Of Estimates

(u) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Change In Benefit Obligation And Fair Value Of Plan Assets

		0000000			0000000
	2011			2010
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year	$	94,776			86,890
Service cost		163			175
Interest cost		5,301			5,291
Actuarial loss		10,530			5,046
Benefit payments		(3,146	)		(2,626	)
Benefit obligation as of end of year		107,624			94,776
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year		---			---
Employer contributions		3,146			2,626
Benefit payments		(3,146	)		(2,626	)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year		---			---
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year	$	107,624			94,776
Current liability	$	4,029			3,841
Noncurrent liability		103,595			90,935
Total recognized liability	$	107,624			94,776

Estimated Benefit Payments

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2012	$	4,029
2013		4,291
2014		4,539
2015		4,776
2016		5,002
2017 through 2021		28,663
Thereafter		56,324
	$	107,624

Postretirement Benefit Cost Components

		00000		00000		00000
	2011		2010		2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Service cost	$	163		175		194
Interest cost		5,301		5,291		5,204
Amortization of actuarial losses		1,071		95		---
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	6,535		5,561		5,398

Actuarial Assumptions In Calculation Of Year End Benefit Obligation

	2011		2010		2009
Discount rate		4.6%		5.7%		6.2%
Rate of compensation increase		4.0%		4.0%		4.0%

Actuarial Assumptions In Calculation Of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

	2011		2010		2009
Discount rate		5.7%		6.2%		6.4%
Rate of compensation increase		4.0%		4.0%		4.0%

XML

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating leases, initial term, years	20
Rental amount included in trade receivables	$ 1,827,000	$ 1,459,000
Rental income	36,057,000	32,576,000	25,590,000
Minimum future rental payments to be received, 2012	34,381,000
Minimum future rental payments to be received, 2013	28,711,000
Minimum future rental payments to be received, 2014	21,897,000
Minimum future rental payments to be received, 2015	15,433,000
Minimum future rental payments to be received, 2016	10,634,000
Minimum future rental payments to be received, thereafter	59,964,000
Trade Letters Of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	10,200,000
Standby Letters Of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Letters of credit to support purchase obligations	$ 3,700,000

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Postretirement Benefit Cost Components) (Details) (Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 163	$ 175	$ 194
Interest cost	5,301	5,291	5,204
Amortization of actuarial losses	1,071	95
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$ 6,535	$ 5,561	$ 5,398

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 1,491,966	$ 1,338,147	$ 1,161,442
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings:
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale (AFS) securities, net of tax effect of $6,324, $8,251 and $33,777 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	10,041	13,102	53,637
Reclassification adjustment for net realized (gain) loss on AFS securities, net of tax effect of ($7,684), ($9,473) and $2,628 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(12,202)	(15,043)	4,173
Adjustment to postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of tax effect of ($3,655), ($1,913) and ($1,246) in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively	(5,804)	(3,038)	(1,979)
Comprehensive earnings	$ 1,484,001	$ 1,333,168	$ 1,217,273

XML

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

(1)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Business

 Publix Super Markets, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are in the primary business of operating retail food supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Company was founded in 1930 and later merged into another corporation that was originally incorporated in 1921. The Company has no other significant lines of business or industry segments. See percentage of consolidated sales by merchandise category on page 1.

(b) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries and certain joint ventures (JV) in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

(c) Fiscal Year

 The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal year 2011 includes 53 weeks and fiscal years 2010 and 2009 include 52 weeks.

(d) Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

(e) Trade Receivables

 Trade receivables primarily include amounts due from vendor allowances, debit and credit card sales and third party insurance pharmacy billings.

(f) Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost for 84% and 85% of inventories was determined using the dollar value last-in, first-out method as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively. The cost of the remaining inventories was determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The FIFO cost of inventory approximates replacement or current cost. The FIFO method is used to value manufactured, seasonal, certain perishable and other miscellaneous inventory items because of fluctuating costs and inconsistent product availability. The Company also reduces inventory for estimated losses related to shrink. If the FIFO method of valuing inventories had been used by the Company to value all inventories, then inventories and current assets would have been higher than reported by $346,558,000 and $279,413,000 as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively.

(g) Investments

 All of the Company's debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale (AFS) and are carried at fair value. The Company evaluates whether AFS securities are other-than-temporarily impaired (OTTI) based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market value decline, the credit rating of the issuer or security, the failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments and the financial health and prospects of the issuer or security.

Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be OTTI are recognized in earnings and reported as OTTI losses. Debt securities with unrealized losses are considered OTTI if the Company intends to sell the debt security or if the Company will be required to sell the debt security prior to any anticipated recovery. If the Company determines that a debt security is OTTI under these circumstances, the impairment recognized in earnings is measured as the difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value. A debt security is also determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the amortized cost of the debt security. However, in this circumstance, if the Company does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the impairment recognized in earnings equals the estimated credit loss as measured by the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost of the debt security. Expected cash flows are discounted using the debt security's effective interest rate. An equity security is determined to be OTTI if the Company does not expect to recover the cost of the equity security. Declines in the value of AFS securities determined to be temporary are reported, net of tax, as other comprehensive losses and included as a component of stockholders' equity.

Interest and dividend income, amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts and realized gains and losses on AFS securities are included in investment income. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recognized as income on the ex-dividend date of the stock. The cost of AFS securities sold is based on the FIFO method.

(h) Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

 Assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases, if shorter, as follows:

Buildings and improvements	10– 40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3– 20 years
Leasehold improvements	5– 40 years

Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. The gain or loss realized on disposed assets or assets to be disposed of is recorded as operating and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

(i) Capitalized Computer Software Costs

 The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. These costs are capitalized and amortized over a three year life. The amounts capitalized were $9,818,000, $7,514,000 and $11,959,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(j) Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net book value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the net book value of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the net book value over the fair value of the asset impaired. The fair value is estimated based on expected discounted future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell and are no longer depreciated. Long-lived assets, including buildings and improvements, leasehold improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment are evaluated for impairment at the supermarket level.

(k) Self-Insurance

 Self-insurance reserves are established for health care, fleet liability, general liability and workers' compensation claims. These reserves are determined based on actual claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported including, where necessary, actuarial studies. Actuarial projections of losses for general liability and workers' compensation claims are discounted. The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of the self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers' compensation claims. Historically, it has been infrequent for incurred claims to exceed these self-insurance limits.

(l) Comprehensive Earnings

Comprehensive earnings include net earnings and other comprehensive earnings. Other comprehensive earnings include revenues, expenses, gains and losses that have been excluded from net earnings and recorded directly to stockholders' equity. Included in other comprehensive earnings for the Company are unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities and adjustments to the postretirement benefit plan obligation.

As of December 31, 2011, accumulated other comprehensive earnings included net unrealized gains on AFS securities of $72,879,000, less tax effect of $28,176,000, and an unfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $23,536,000, less tax effect of $9,094,000. As of December 25, 2010, accumulated other comprehensive earnings included net unrealized gains on AFS securities of $76,400,000, less tax effect of $29,536,000, and an unfunded postretirement benefit obligation of $14,077,000, less tax effect of $5,439,000.

(m) Revenue Recognition

 Revenue is recognized at the point of sale for retail sales. Customer returns are immaterial. Vendor coupons that are reimbursed are accounted for as sales. Coupons and other sales incentives offered by the Company that are not reimbursed are recorded as a reduction of sales.

(n) Sales Taxes

The Company records sales net of applicable sales taxes.

(o) Other Operating Income

 Other operating income is recognized on a net revenue basis as earned. Other operating income includes income generated from other activities, primarily lottery commissions, automated teller transaction fees, commissions on licensee sales, vending machine commissions, mall gift card commissions, money transfer fees and coupon redemption income.

(p) Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes costs of inventory and costs related to in-store production. Cost of merchandise sold also includes inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, warehousing costs and other costs of the Company's distribution network.

Vendor allowances and credits, including cooperative advertising allowances, received from a vendor in connection with the purchase or promotion of the vendor's products are recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold as earned. These allowances and credits are recognized as earned in accordance with the underlying agreement with the vendor and completion of the earnings process. Short-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a current liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements. Long-term vendor agreements with advance payment provisions are recorded as a noncurrent liability and are recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements.

The amount of cooperative advertising allowances recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold was $8,898,000, $10,715,000 and $7,982,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(q) Advertising Costs

 Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $202,405,000, $191,788,000 and $180,159,000 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(r) Other Income, net

Other income, net includes rent received from tenants in owned shopping centers, net of related expenses, and other miscellaneous nonoperating income.

(s) Income Taxes

 Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting bases and are subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities as a component of income tax expense.

(t) Common Stock and Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same because the Company does not have options or other stock compensation programs that would impact the calculation of diluted earnings per share. All shares owned by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) are included in the earnings per share calculations. Cash dividends paid to the ESOP, as well as dividends on all other common stock shares, are reflected as a reduction of retained earnings. All common stock shares, including ESOP and 401(k) Plan shares, receive one vote per share and have the same dividend rights. The voting rights for ESOP shares allocated to participants' accounts are passed through to the participants. The Trustee of the 401(k) Plan votes the shares held in that plan.

(u) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

XML

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Total Income Taxes

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Earnings	$	769,807			701,271			613,272
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings		(5,015	)		(3,135	)		35,159
	$	764,792			698,136			648,431

Provision For Income Taxes

	Current		Deferred			Total
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2011
Federal	$	592,275		90,486			682,761
State		81,684		5,362			87,046
	$	673,959		95,848			769,807
2010
Federal	$	601,098		23,778			624,876
State		79,451		(3,056	)		76,395
	$	680,549		20,722			701,271
2009
Federal	$	518,269		28,064			546,333
State		67,985		(1,046	)		66,939
	$	586,254		27,018			613,272

Reconciliation Of Income Taxes

	2011			2010			2009
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Federal tax at statutory tax rate	$	791,621			713,796			621,150
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)		56,580			49,657			43,511
ESOP dividend		(46,675	)		(40,718	)		(36,033	)
Other, net		(31,719	)		(21,464	)		(15,356	)
	$	769,807			701,271			613,272

Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities

	2011		2010
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves	$	114,522		113,557
Retirement plan contributions		48,825		44,686
Postretirement benefit cost		41,515		36,551
Reserves not currently deductible		18,047		24,731
Inventory capitalization		11,687		12,650
Advance purchase allowances		6,454		7,768
Other		4,357		9,378
Total deferred tax assets	$	245,407		249,321
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation	$	491,485		409,736
Other		11,324		6,154
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	502,809		415,890

XML

Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Years of service that employees were required to have as of October 1, 2001 in order to qualify for postretirement benefits in the future	5.0
Age plus years of service that employees were required to have as of October 1, 2001 in order to qualify for postretirement benefits in the future	65.0
Minimum age that eligible employees are required to have in order to receive post retirement benefits	55.0
Minimum years of service that eligible employees are required to have in order to receive post retirement benefits	10.0
Net actuarial losses recognized in other comprehensive earnings	$ 9,459,000	$ 4,951,000	$ 3,225,000
Tax effect of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive earnings	3,655,000	1,913,000	1,246,000
Benefit payments	$ 3,146,000	$ 2,626,000	$ 4,483,000
Accumulation of losses, maximum percentage threshold	10.00%

XML

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts

Schedule II

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010

and December 26, 2009

Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Additions Charged to Income		Deductions From Reserves		Balance at End of Year
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2011
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current	$	114,133		296,798		285,362		125,569
Noncurrent		221,337		---		1,677		219,660
	$	335,470		296,798		287,039		345,229
Year ended December 25, 2010
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current	$	119,375		269,063		274,305		114,133
Noncurrent		229,589		---		8,252		221,337
	$	348,964		269,063		282,557		335,470
Year ended December 26, 2009
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current	$	132,275		270,179		283,079		119,375
Noncurrent		231,070		---		1,481		229,589
	$	363,345		270,179		284,560		348,964