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 27, 2014

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          No    X  

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.

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. (X)

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   Accelerated filer   Non-accelerated filer    X   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 $12,701,577,000 as of June 27, 2014, 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 3, 2015 was 773,305,000.

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 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 14, 2015.

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	18
	Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting	19
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	20
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, Tennessee and North Carolina. 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 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	2014		2013		2012
Grocery	85	%	85	%	85	%
Other	15	%	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 nonfood 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 75% 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 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 1,095 supermarkets at the end of 2014, compared with 1,079 at the beginning of the year. In 2014, 32 supermarkets were opened (including 14 replacement supermarkets) and 138 supermarkets were remodeled. Sixteen supermarkets were closed during the period. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2014 replaced 10 of the supermarkets closed during the same period, six of which were replaced on site, and four supermarkets closed in 2013 that were replaced on site. Four of the remaining supermarkets closed in 2014 will be replaced on site in subsequent periods and two supermarkets will not be replaced. New supermarkets added 0.9 million square feet in 2014, an increase of 1.7%. At the end of 2014, the Company had 760 supermarkets located in Florida, 182 in Georgia, 58 in Alabama, 51 in South Carolina, 38 in Tennessee and six in North Carolina. Also, as of year end, the Company had five supermarkets under construction in Florida, four in North Carolina and two in South Carolina.

Competition

The Company is engaged in the highly competitive retail food industry. 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. 

Working capital

The Company’s working capital at the end of 2014 consisted of $3,733.5 million in current assets and $2,697.8 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.

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.

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Employees

The Company had 175,000 employees at the end of 2014. 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 and regulations during 2014 had no material effect on capital expenditures, results of operations or the competitive position of the Company.

Company information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the 2015 Proxy Statement will be mailed on or about March 12, 2015 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 3, 2015. 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 existing, and potentially new, competitors and its financial condition and results of operations could be impacted by the pricing, purchasing, advertising or promotional decisions made by its competitors as well as competitor format innovation and location additions.

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, home foreclosures and weakness in the housing market, declines in the stock market and the instability of the credit markets, could cause a reduction in consumer spending. Other conditions that could also affect disposable consumer income include increases in tax, interest and inflation rates, increases in fuel and energy costs, increases in health care 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-margin 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.

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 sustained market share and financial growth. Failure to execute on these core strategies, or failure to execute the core strategies on a cost effective basis, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

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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 supermarkets on commercially reasonable terms.

Failure to maintain the privacy and security of confidential customer and business information and the resulting unfavorable publicity could adversely affect the Company.

The Company receives, retains and transmits certain confidential information about its customers, employees and suppliers and entrusts that information to third party service providers. The Company depends upon the secure transmission of confidential information over external networks, including customer payments. Additionally, the use of individually identifiable data by the Company and its third party service providers is regulated at the national and local or state level. A compromise of the Company’s information technology systems or those of its third party service providers that results in customer, employee or supplier information being obtained by unauthorized persons could adversely affect the Company’s reputation with existing and potential customers, employees and others. A security breach could require expending significant additional resources related to remediation, lead to legal proceedings and regulatory actions, result in a disruption of operations and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Disruptions in information technology systems 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, malicious service disruptions, catastrophic events and user errors. Any disruptions in information technology systems 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, fleet liability, employee benefits and directors and officers liability. The Company is self-insured for property, plant and equipment losses. 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 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, changes in actuarial assumptions or catastrophic events involving property, plant and equipment losses.

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, if applicable, 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.

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

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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 could 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 labeling and 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, the 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 subject from time to time to various lawsuits, claims and charges arising in the normal course of business, including employment, personal injury, commercial and other matters. Some lawsuits also contain class action allegations. The Company estimates its exposure to these legal proceedings and establishes reserves for the estimated liabilities. Assessing and predicting the outcome of these matters involves substantial uncertainties. Although not currently anticipated by the Company, material differences in actual outcomes or changes in the Company’s evaluation could arise that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None

Item 2. Properties

At year end, the Company operated 51.2 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 new leases. Both the building and land are owned at 196 locations. The building is owned while the land is leased at 55 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 subject from time to time to various lawsuits, claims and charges arising 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 lawsuits, claims and charges, 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

Not applicable

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Name	Age	Business Experience During Last Five Years	Served as Officer of Company Since
Executive Officers of the Company
John A. Attaway, Jr.	56	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company.	2000
Hoyt R. Barnett	71	Vice Chairman of the Company and Trustee of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.	1977
David E. Bornmann	57	Vice President of the Company to March 2013, Senior Vice President thereafter.	1998
William E. Crenshaw	64	Chief Executive Officer of the Company.	1990
Laurie Z. Douglas	51	Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company.	2006
John T. Hrabusa	59	Senior Vice President of the Company.	2004
Randall T. Jones, Sr.	52	President of the Company.	2003
David P. Phillips	55	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company.	1990
Michael R. Smith	55	Vice President of the Company to March 2013, Senior Vice President thereafter.	2005
Officers of the Company
David E. Bridges	65	Vice President of the Company.	2000
Scott E. Brubaker	56	Vice President of the Company.	2005
Jeffrey G. Chamberlain	58	Director of Real Estate Strategy of the Company to January 2011, Vice President thereafter.	2011
Joseph DiBenedetto, Jr.	55	Regional Director of Retail Operations of the Company to January 2011, Vice President thereafter.	2011
G. Gino DiGrazia	52	Vice President of the Company.	2002
David S. Duncan	61	Vice President of the Company.	1999
Sandra J. Estep	55	Vice President of the Company.	2002
Linda S. Hall	55	Vice President of the Company.	2002
Mark R. Irby	59	Vice President of the Company.	1989
Linda S. Kane	49	Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Company.	2000
Erik J. Katenkamp	43	Director of Information Systems of the Company to January 2013, Vice President thereafter.	2013
L. Renee Kelly	53	Director of Information Systems of the Company to January 2013, Vice President thereafter.	2013
Thomas M. McLaughlin	64	Vice President of the Company.	1994
Peter M. Mowitt	55	Business Development Director of Grocery Retail Support of the Company to March 2013, Vice President thereafter.	2013
Kevin S. Murphy	44	Regional Director of Retail Operations of the Company to March 2014, Vice President thereafter.	2014
Dale S. Myers	62	Vice President of the Company.	2001
Alfred J. Ottolino	49	Vice President of the Company.	2004
Charles B. Roskovich, Jr.	53	Vice President of the Company to January 2011, Senior Vice President to January 2013, Vice President thereafter.	2008
Marc H. Salm	54	Vice President of the Company.	2008
Alison Midili Smith	44	Director of Human Resources of the Company to January 2013, Vice President thereafter.	2013
Jeffrey D. Stephens	59	Director of Fresh Product Manufacturing of the Company to September 2010, Director of Manufacturing Operations to March 2013, Vice President thereafter.	2013
Casey D. Suarez, Sr.	55	District Manager of the Company to October 2010, Director of Warehousing to May 2014, Vice President thereafter.	2014
Steven B. Wellslager	48	Director of Information Systems of the Company to January 2013, Vice President thereafter.	2013

The terms of all officers expire in May 2015 or upon the election of their successors.

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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 and members of the Company’s Board of Directors through the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and Non-Employee Directors Stock Purchase Plan (Directors Plan) and to participants of the Company’s 401(k) Plan. In addition, common stock is provided to employees through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The Company currently repurchases common stock subject to certain terms and conditions. The ESPP, Directors Plan, 401(k) Plan and ESOP 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 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

	2014		2013
January - February	$	30.00	22.50
March - April	30.15		23.20
May - July	32.50		26.90
August - October	33.85		27.55
November - December	33.80		30.00

(b) Approximate Number of Equity Security Holders

As of February 3, 2015, the approximate number of holders of the Company’s common stock was 166,000.

(c) Dividends

On June 2, 2014 and December 1, 2014, the Company paid semiannual dividends on its common stock of $0.37 per share totaling $577.2 million for the year to stockholders of record as of the close of business April 30, 2014 and October 31, 2014, respectively. On June 3, 2013 and December 2, 2013, the Company paid semiannual dividends on its common stock of $0.35 per share or $547.3 million for the year. 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 dividends will be paid in the future.

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(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 27, 2014 were as follows (amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts):

Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share			Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)
September 28, 2014 through November 1, 2014			362		$	33.85	N/A	N/A
November 2, 2014 through November 29, 2014			2,392		33.80		N/A	N/A
November 30, 2014 through December 27, 2014			1,274		33.80		N/A	N/A
	Total		4,028		$	33.80	N/A	N/A

____________________________

(1) Common stock is made available for sale only to the Company’s current employees and members of the Company’s Board of Directors through the Company’s ESPP and Directors Plan and to participants of the Company’s 401(k) Plan. In addition, common stock is provided to employees through the ESOP. The Company currently repurchases common stock subject to certain terms and conditions. The ESPP, Directors Plan, 401(k) Plan and ESOP 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 27, 2014 required to be disclosed in the last two columns of the table.

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(e) Performance Graph

The following performance graph sets forth the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return during the five years ended December 27, 2014, 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 2009 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. Due to the timing of the filing of this document with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a performance graph based on the fiscal year end valuation (market price as of March 1, 2015) is not presented below. Rather, for comparative purposes, a performance graph based on the fiscal year end valuation is provided in the 2015 Proxy Statement.

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

		2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
l	Publix	$100.00	124.81	130.12	150.63	205.80	237.04
p	S&P 500	100.00	113.82	116.31	132.68	177.94	206.01
n	Peer Group (1)	100.00	101.29	104.03	99.46	155.04	202.64

___________________________

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

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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

	2014			2013		2012		2011(1)		2010
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share  amounts and number of supermarkets)
Sales:
Sales	$	30,559,505		28,917,439		27,484,766		26,967,389		25,134,054
Percent change	5.7		%	5.2	%	1.9	%	7.3	%	3.3	%
Comparable store sales percent change	5.4		%	3.6	%	2.2	%	4.1	%	2.3	%
Earnings:
Gross profit (2)	$	8,326,855		7,980,120		7,573,782		7,447,019		7,022,611
Earnings before income tax expense	$	2,570,121		2,465,689		2,302,594		2,261,773		2,039,418
Net earnings	$	1,735,308		1,653,954		1,552,255		1,491,966		1,338,147
Net earnings as a percent of sales	5.7		%	5.7	%	5.6	%	5.5	%	5.3	%
Common stock:
Weighted average shares outstanding	778,708			780,188		782,553		784,815		786,378
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$	2.23		2.12		1.98		1.90		1.70
Dividends per share	$	0.74		0.70		0.89 (3)		0.53		0.46
Financial data:
Capital expenditures	$	1,374,124		668,485		697,112		602,952		468,530
Working capital	$	1,035,758		881,222		928,138		752,464		771,918
Current ratio	1.38			1.37		1.42		1.37		1.37
Total assets	$	15,083,480		13,546,641		12,278,320		11,268,232		10,159,087
Long-term debt (including current portion)	$	217,638		162,154		158,472		134,584		149,361
Common stock related to ESOP	$	2,680,528		2,322,903		2,272,963		2,137,217		2,016,696
Total equity	$	11,345,223		10,267,796		9,128,818		8,341,457		7,305,592
Supermarkets	1,095			1,079		1,069		1,046		1,034

____________________________

(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.

(3) The Company paid dividends on its common stock of $0.89 per share in 2012, which included an annual dividend of $0.59 per share paid in June 2012 and a semiannual dividend of $0.30 per share paid in December 2012.

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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, Tennessee and North Carolina. The Company has no other significant lines of business or industry segments. As of December 27, 2014, the Company operated 1,095 supermarkets including 760 located in Florida, 182 in Georgia, 58 in Alabama, 51 in South Carolina, 38 in Tennessee and six in North Carolina. In 2014, 32 supermarkets were opened (including 14 replacement supermarkets) and 138 supermarkets were remodeled. Sixteen supermarkets were closed during the period. During 2014, the Company opened 16 supermarkets in Florida, six in North Carolina, four in South Carolina, three in Alabama, two in Tennessee and one in Georgia. Replacement supermarkets opened in 2014 replaced 10 of the supermarkets closed during the same period. Four of the remaining supermarkets closed in 2014 will be replaced on site in subsequent periods and two supermarkets will not be replaced.

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 impacted by capital expenditures, investment transactions, stock repurchases and dividend payments.

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 as well as unbranded merchandise such as produce, meat and seafood. The Company’s private label brands play an important role in its merchandising strategy.

Operating Environment

The Company is engaged in the highly competitive retail food industry. The Company’s competitors include traditional supermarkets, such as national and regional supermarket chains and independent supermarkets, as well as nontraditional competitors, such as 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. In addition, the Company competes with other companies for additional retail site locations. The Company also competes with retailers as well as other labor market competitors in attracting and retaining quality employees. 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 nontraditional competitors. 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 highly 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 sustained market share and financial growth.

Results of Operations

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 include 52 weeks.

Sales

Sales for 2014 were $30.6 billion as compared with $28.9 billion in 2013, an increase of $1,642.1 million or 5.7%. The increase in sales for 2014 as compared to 2013 was primarily due to a 5.4% increase in 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 2014 increased primarily due to product cost inflation and increased customer counts resulting from a better economic climate.

Sales for 2013 were $28.9 billion as compared with $27.5 billion in 2012, an increase of $1,432.7 million or 5.2%. The increase in sales for 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily due to a 3.6% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales for 2013 increased primarily due to product cost inflation and increased customer counts resulting from a better economic climate.

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Sales for 2012 were $27.5 billion as compared with $27.0 billion in 2011, an increase of $517.4 million or 1.9%. After excluding sales of $485.2 million for the extra week in 2011, the Company estimates that its sales increased $1,002.6 million or 3.8%. This increase is primarily due to a 2.2% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales for 2012 increased primarily due to product cost inflation and increased customer counts resulting from a better, but still difficult, economic climate.

Gross profit

Gross profit (sales less cost of merchandise sold) as a percentage of sales was 27.2%, 27.6% and 27.6% in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Excluding the last-in, first-out (LIFO) reserve effect of $30.7 million, $14.8 million and $28.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, gross profit as a percentage of sales would have been 27.3%, 27.6% and 27.7% in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. After excluding the LIFO reserve effect, the decrease in gross profit as a percentage of sales for 2014 as compared with 2013 and for 2013 as compared with 2012 was primarily due to increases in promotional activity and product cost increases, some of which were not passed on to customers.

Operating and administrative expenses

Operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 20.2%, 20.4% and 20.5% in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for 2014 as compared with 2013 was primarily due to the adoption of the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) discussed in Recently Issued Accounting Standards below and decreases in rent as a percentage of sales due to the acquisition of shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. The decrease in operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for 2013 as compared with 2012 was primarily due to decreases in rent and utilities as a percentage of sales.

Investment income

Investment income was $143.9 million, $127.3 million and $88.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in investment income for 2014 as compared with 2013 was primarily due to an increase in dividend income and realized gains on the sale of equity securities. The increase in investment income for 2013 as compared with 2012 was primarily due to an increase in realized gains on the sale of equity securities.

Income tax expense

The effective income tax rate was 32.5%, 32.9% and 32.6% in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for 2014 as compared with 2013 was primarily due to an increase in qualified inventory donations and investment related tax credits partially offset by an increase in income tax expense due to the adoption of the ASU discussed in Recently Issued Accounting Standards below. The increase in the effective income tax rate for 2013 as compared with 2012 was primarily due to a decrease in dividends paid to ESOP participants due to the payment of the first semiannual dividend in 2012, as noted in Dividends below, partially offset by an increase in tax exempt investment income and investment related tax credits.

Net earnings

Net earnings were $1,735.3 million or $2.23 per share, $1,654.0 million or $2.12 per share and $1,552.3 million or $1.98 per share for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net earnings as a percentage of sales were 5.7%, 5.7% and 5.6% for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net earnings as a percentage of sales for 2014 as compared with 2013 remained unchanged. The increase in net earnings as a percentage of sales for 2013 as compared with 2012 was primarily due to the decrease in operating and administrative expenses, as noted above.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments totaled $6,638.2 million as of December 27, 2014, as compared with $6,293.4 million as of December 28, 2013. This increase is primarily due to the Company generating cash in excess of the amount needed for current operations.

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,777.2 million for 2014, as compared with $2,567.3 million and $2,604.2 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for 2014 as compared with 2013 was primarily due to the increase in net earnings and the timing of payments for merchandise, partially offset by the timing of payments for income taxes. Net cash provided by operating activities for 2013 as compared with 2012 remained relatively unchanged. Any net cash in excess of the amount needed for current operations is invested in short-term and long-term investments.

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $1,641.7 million for 2014, as compared with $1,721.5 million and $1,563.6 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively. The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2014 was funding capital expenditures and net increases in investment securities. Capital expenditures for 2014 totaled $1,374.1 million. These expenditures were incurred in connection with the opening of 32 new supermarkets (including 14 replacement supermarkets) and remodeling 138 supermarkets. Expenditures were also incurred for new supermarkets and remodels in progress, the construction of new warehouses, new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications and the acquisition of shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. In 2014, the payment for investments, net of the proceeds from the sale and maturity of such investments, was $307.8 million.

The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2013 was funding capital expenditures and net increases in investment securities. Capital expenditures for 2013 totaled $668.5 million. These expenditures were incurred in connection with the opening of 22 new supermarkets (including seven replacement supermarkets) and remodeling 109 supermarkets. Expenditures were also incurred for new supermarkets and remodels in progress, the construction of new warehouses, new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications and the acquisition of shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. In 2013, the payment for investments, net of the proceeds from the sale and maturity of such investments, was $1,074.4 million.

The primary use of net cash in investing activities for 2012 was funding capital expenditures and net increases in investment securities. Capital expenditures for 2012 totaled $697.1 million. These expenditures were incurred in connection with the opening of 31 new supermarkets (including 12 replacement supermarkets) and remodeling 113 supermarkets. Expenditures were also incurred for the expansion of warehouses, new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications and the acquisition of shopping centers with the Company as the anchor tenant. In 2012, the payment for investments, net of the proceeds from the sale and maturity of such investments, was $871.9 million.

Capital expenditure projection

Capital expenditures expected to use cash in 2015 are approximately $1,300 million, primarily consisting of new supermarkets, remodeling existing supermarkets, new or enhanced information technology hardware and applications and the acquisition of 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.

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Net cash used in financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $1,029.9 million in 2014, as compared with $881.3 million and $1,070.1 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in net cash used in financing activities for 2014 as compared with 2013 was primarily due to an increase in net common stock repurchases. Net common stock repurchases totaled $404.2 million in 2014, as compared with $321.3 million in 2013. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities for 2013 as compared with 2012 was primarily due to the Company paying dividends of $0.70 per share or $547.3 million in 2013 as compared with dividends of $0.89 per share or $698.7 million in 2012, as noted in Dividends below. Net common stock repurchases totaled $321.3 million in 2013, as compared with $354.4 million in 2012. The Company currently repurchases common stock at the stockholders’ request in accordance with the terms of the Company’s ESPP, Directors Plan, 401(k) Plan and ESOP. 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.

Dividends

The Company paid dividends on its common stock of $0.74 per share or $577.2 million, $0.70 per share or $547.3 million and $0.89 per share or $698.7 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Due to the growth of the Company’s dividend over the last several years, the Company decided in 2012 to begin paying a semiannual dividend rather than an annual dividend. To not delay any dividend payments to the Company’s stockholders, the first semiannual dividend of $0.30 per share or $234.1 million was paid on December 3, 2012. As a result, dividends paid in 2014 and 2013 were less than in 2012.

Cash requirements

In 2015, the cash requirements for current operations, capital expenditures, common stock repurchases and dividend payments 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.

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Contractual Obligations

Following is a summary of contractual obligations as of December 27, 2014:

	Payments Due by Period
	Total		2015	2016- 2017	2018- 2019	There- after
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Contractual obligations:
Operating leases (1)	$	3,902,354	421,634	780,335	668,687	2,031,698
Purchase obligations (2)(3)(4)	1,906,378		983,246	281,277	183,285	458,570
Other long-term liabilities:
Self-insurance reserves (5)	364,366		151,153	95,570	40,873	76,770
Accrued postretirement benefit cost (6)	110,808		4,238	9,005	9,669	87,896
Long-term debt (7)	217,638		24,936	106,241	40,129	46,332
Other	83,702		39,761	24,606	1,430	17,905
Total	$	6,585,246	1,624,968	1,297,034	944,073	2,719,171

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 9(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 27, 2014, the Company had $6.5 million outstanding in trade letters of credit and $5.0 million in standby letters of credit to support certain of these purchase obligations.

(4) Purchase obligations include $948.2 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 27, 2014, the Company had a restricted trust account in the amount of $169.2 million for the benefit of the Company’s insurance carrier related to self-insurance reserves.

(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.

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an ASU permitting companies to make an accounting policy election to account for qualified affordable housing investments using the proportional amortization method if certain criteria are met. Under this method, the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax credits received and the net investment performance is recognized in the statements of earnings as a component of income tax expense. This ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to adopt the ASU early. The cumulative effect of the change from adopting the ASU was recorded during the quarter ended March 29, 2014 as the effect on the quarter and prior periods was not material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The ASU requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. This ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of this ASU will not have an effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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% of inventories was determined using the dollar value LIFO method as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013. 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 other-than-temporarily impaired (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 with high credit ratings; therefore, the Company believes the credit risk is low. The Company believes a 50 basis point increase in long-term interest rates 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 hypothetical temporary unrealized loss would impact comprehensive earnings, but not net earnings or cash flows.

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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 hypothetical decrease of 5% in the value of the Company’s equity securities would result in an immaterial decrease in the value of long-term investments.

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 2014.

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 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 recognized over the appropriate period as earned according to the underlying agreements.

Self-Insurance

The Company is self-insured for health care claims and property, plant and equipment losses. The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of 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 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 100 basis point change in the discount rate would result in an immaterial change in the Company’s self-insurance reserves.

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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.

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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.

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 with high credit ratings; therefore, the Company believes the credit risk is low. The Company believes a 50 basis point increase in long-term interest rates 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 hypothetical 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 hypothetical decrease of 5% in the value of the Company’s equity securities would result in an immaterial decrease in the value of long-term investments.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management oftheCompany 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 27, 2014. 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 (2013). Based on this assessment and these criteria, management believes that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 27, 2014.

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Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule
	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		21
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013		22
Consolidated Statements of Earnings – Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012		24
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings – Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012		25
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and  December 29, 2012		26
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity – Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012		28
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		29
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company for the years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 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.

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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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, 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 27, 2014. 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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 27, 2014, 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.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Tampa, Florida

March 2, 2015

Certified Public Accountants

21

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 27, 2014 and

December 28, 2013

Assets	2014			2013
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	407,493		301,868
Short-term investments	999,169			829,559
Trade receivables	549,443			540,156
Merchandise inventories	1,597,683			1,506,977
Deferred tax assets	71,142			55,761
Prepaid expenses	108,619			25,823
Total current assets	3,733,549			3,260,144
Long-term investments	5,231,561			5,161,927
Other noncurrent assets	395,428			319,818
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	936,185			716,071
Buildings and improvements	2,959,186			2,352,447
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	4,101,837			3,759,007
Leasehold improvements	1,514,200			1,438,871
Construction in progress	155,382			152,240
	9,666,790			8,418,636
Accumulated depreciation	(3,943,848		)	(3,613,884	)
Net property, plant and equipment	5,722,942			4,804,752
	$	15,083,480		13,546,641

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

22

Liabilities and Equity	2014			2013
	(Amounts are in thousands, except par value)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,538,108		1,383,134
Accrued expenses:
Contributions to retirement plans	477,154			448,339
Self-insurance reserves	151,153			150,860
Salaries and wages	120,372			116,116
Other	373,086			223,048
Current portion of long-term debt	24,936			37,509
Federal and state income taxes	12,982			19,916
Total current liabilities	2,697,791			2,378,922
Deferred tax liabilities	388,667			356,956
Self-insurance reserves	213,213			205,181
Accrued postretirement benefit cost	106,570			102,763
Long-term debt	192,702			124,645
Other noncurrent liabilities	139,314			110,378
Total liabilities	3,738,257			3,278,845
Common stock related to Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)	2,680,528			2,322,903
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 774,472 shares in 2014 and 776,721 shares in 2013	774,472			776,721
Additional paid-in capital	2,200,892			1,898,974
Retained earnings	8,218,340			7,454,448
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	109,134			86,999
Common stock related to ESOP	(2,680,528		)	(2,322,903	)
Total stockholders’ equity	8,622,310			7,894,239
Noncontrolling interests	42,385			50,654
Total equity	11,345,223			10,267,796
Commitments and contingencies	—			—
	$	15,083,480		13,546,641

23

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013

and December 29, 2012

	2014		2013	2012
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Sales	$	30,559,505	28,917,439	27,484,766
Other operating income	242,961		230,079	222,006
Total revenues	30,802,466		29,147,518	27,706,772
Costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise sold	22,232,650		20,937,319	19,910,984
Operating and administrative expenses	6,168,955		5,890,461	5,630,537
Total costs and expenses	28,401,605		26,827,780	25,541,521
Operating profit	2,400,861		2,319,738	2,165,251
Investment income	143,875		127,299	88,449
Other nonoperating income, net	25,385		18,652	48,894
Earnings before income tax expense	2,570,121		2,465,689	2,302,594
Income tax expense	834,813		811,735	750,339
Net earnings	$	1,735,308	1,653,954	1,552,255
Weighted average shares outstanding	778,708		780,188	782,553
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$	2.23	2.12	1.98

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

24

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings

Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013

and December 29, 2012

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Net earnings	$	1,735,308		1,653,954		1,552,255
Other comprehensive earnings:
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale (AFS) securities, net of tax effect of $37,133, $41,474 and $12,567 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	58,968			65,861		19,956
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gain on AFS securities, net of tax effect of $(22,571), $(18,458) and $(4,013) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	(35,842		)	(29,311	)	(6,373	)
Adjustment to postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of tax effect of $(624), $7,658 and $(3,498) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	(991		)	12,160		(5,555	)
Comprehensive earnings	$	1,757,443		1,702,664		1,560,283

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

25

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013

and December 29, 2012

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$	30,596,486		28,942,460		27,579,893
Cash paid to employees and suppliers	(27,045,219		)	(25,673,800	)	(24,279,245	)
Income taxes paid	(895,758		)	(789,721	)	(785,147	)
Self-insured claims paid	(317,441		)	(321,060	)	(293,359	)
Dividends and interest received	222,134			205,923		182,025
Other operating cash receipts	235,642			222,178		214,022
Other operating cash payments	(18,612		)	(18,677	)	(13,982	)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,777,232			2,567,303		2,604,207
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for capital expenditures	(1,374,124		)	(668,485	)	(697,112	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	40,222			21,360		5,503
Payment for investments	(1,839,814		)	(2,442,298	)	(1,882,223	)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments	1,532,007			1,367,922		1,010,277
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,641,709		)	(1,721,501	)	(1,563,555	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for acquisition of common stock	(688,339		)	(563,470	)	(551,816	)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	284,105			242,211		197,448
Dividends paid	(577,227		)	(547,287	)	(698,652	)
Repayments of long-term debt	(57,442		)	(16,803	)	(18,277	)
Other, net	9,005			4,015		1,192
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,029,898		)	(881,334	)	(1,070,105	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	105,625			(35,532	)	(29,453	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	301,868			337,400		366,853
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	407,493		301,868		337,400

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

26

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings	$	1,735,308		1,653,954		1,552,255
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	513,393			501,689		493,239
Increase in LIFO reserve	30,743			14,787		28,419
Retirement contributions paid or payable in common stock	338,979			319,175		304,285
Deferred income taxes	2,392			1,061		7,002
Loss on disposal and impairment of property, plant and equipment	26,155			26,065		24,855
Gain on AFS securities	(58,413		)	(47,769	)	(10,386	)
Net amortization of investments	137,533			133,422		108,300
Change in operating assets and liabilities providing (requiring) cash:
Trade receivables	(8,829		)	(21,086	)	22,517
Merchandise inventories	(121,449		)	(112,397	)	(76,077	)
Prepaid expenses and other noncurrent assets	(4,210		)	(1,757	)	(3,374	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	268,491			76,083		181,916
Self-insurance reserves	8,325			4,315		6,497
Federal and state income taxes	(86,910		)	21,844		(41,153	)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(4,276		)	(2,083	)	5,912
Total adjustments	1,041,924			913,349		1,051,952
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	2,777,232		2,567,303		2,604,207

27

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013

and December 29, 2012

	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings		Common Stock (Acquired from) Sold to Stock- holders			Accumu- lated Other Compre- hensive Earnings		Common Stock Related to ESOP		Total Stock- holders’ Equity
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
Balances at December 31, 2011	$	779,675		1,354,881	6,131,193			—			30,261	(2,137,217	)	6,158,793
Comprehensive earnings	—			—	1,552,255			—			8,028	—		1,560,283
Dividends, $0.89 per share	—			—	(698,652	)		—			—	—		(698,652	)
Contribution of 12,451 shares to retirement plans	9,845			216,232	—			52,829			—	—		278,906
Acquisition of 24,889 shares from stockholders	—			—	—			(551,816	)		—	—		(551,816	)
Sale of 8,857 shares to stockholders	2,650			56,145	—			138,653			—	—		197,448
Retirement of 16,076 shares	(16,076		)	—	(344,258	)		360,334			—	—		—
Change for ESOP related shares	—			—	—			—			—	(135,746	)	(135,746	)
Balances at December 29, 2012	776,094			1,627,258	6,640,538			—			38,289	(2,272,963	)	6,809,216
Comprehensive earnings	—			—	1,653,954			—			48,710	—		1,702,664
Dividends, $0.70 per share	—			—	(547,287	)		—			—	—		(547,287	)
Contribution of 12,967 shares to retirement plans	9,548			214,371	—			76,926			—	—		300,845
Acquisition of 21,602 shares from stockholders	—			—	—			(563,470	)		—	—		(563,470	)
Sale of 9,262 shares to stockholders	2,275			57,345	—			182,591			—	—		242,211
Retirement of 11,196 shares	(11,196		)	—	(292,757	)		303,953			—	—		—
Change for ESOP related shares	—			—	—			—			—	(49,940	)	(49,940	)
Balances at December 28, 2013	776,721			1,898,974	7,454,448			—			86,999	(2,322,903	)	7,894,239
Comprehensive earnings	—			—	1,735,308			—			22,135	—		1,757,443
Dividends, $0.74 per share	—			—	(577,227	)		—			—	—		(577,227	)
Contribution of 10,272 shares to retirement plans	8,063			235,362	—			66,289			—	—		309,714
Acquisition of 21,356 shares from stockholders	—			—	—			(688,339	)		—	—		(688,339	)
Sale of 8,835 shares to stockholders	2,168			66,556	—			215,381			—	—		284,105
Retirement of 12,480 shares	(12,480		)	—	(394,189	)		406,669			—	—		—
Change for ESOP related shares	—			—	—			—			—	(357,625	)	(357,625	)
Balances at December 27, 2014	$	774,472		2,200,892	8,218,340			—			109,134	(2,680,528	)	8,622,310

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, Tennessee and North Carolina. 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 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 years 2014, 2013 and 2012 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% of inventories was determined using the dollar value last-in, first-out (LIFO) method as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013. 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 $420,507,000 and $389,764,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, 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 security. The cost of AFS securities sold is based on the FIFO method.

29

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(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	10 – 20 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 $11,903,000, $11,588,000 and $11,144,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, 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

The Company is self-insured for health care claims and property, plant and equipment losses. The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. 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.

(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.

(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, mall gift card commissions, vending machine 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.

30

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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 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 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 $10,873,000, $11,155,000 and $9,190,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(q) Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $232,499,000, $217,451,000 and $208,295,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(r) Other Nonoperating Income, net

Other nonoperating 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. In 2014, the Company began accounting for qualified affordable housing investments using the proportional amortization method. Under this method, the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax credits received and the net investment performance is recorded as income tax expense. Amortization of these investments for 2014 totaled $24,762,000 and is recorded as 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 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. 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 Company’s common stock in 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.

31

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(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, approximates 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, exchange traded funds 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. 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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	Fair Value		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(Amounts are in thousands)
December 27, 2014	$	6,230,730	1,439,360	4,791,370	—
December 28, 2013	5,991,486		1,085,194	4,906,292	—

(3)    Investments

Following is a summary of AFS securities as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2014
Tax exempt bonds	$	3,205,647		17,460		4,011	3,219,096
Taxable bonds	1,569,828			3,005		4,592	1,568,241
Restricted investments	170,000			—		776	169,224
Equity securities	1,092,985			191,493		10,309	1,274,169
	$	6,038,460		211,958		19,688	6,230,730
2013
Tax exempt bonds	$	3,430,028		25,588		9,917	3,445,699
Taxable bonds	1,445,901			7,641		3,863	1,449,679
Restricted investments	170,000			—		86	169,914
Equity securities	790,975			139,119		3,900	926,194
	$	5,836,904		172,348		17,766	5,991,486

Realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $61,390,000 for 2014. Realized losses on sales of AFS securities totaled $2,977,000 for 2014.

Realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $64,637,000 for 2013. Realized losses on sales of AFS securities totaled $16,868,000 for 2013.

32

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $23,772,000 for 2012. Realized losses on sales of AFS securities totaled $13,386,000 for 2012.

The amortized cost and fair value of AFS securities by expected maturity as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are as follows:

	2014			2013
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value	Amortized Cost	Fair Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	996,674	999,169	824,780	829,559
Due after one year through five years	3,493,708		3,501,821	3,590,615	3,609,115
Due after five years through ten years	183,552		183,168	295,407	288,421
Due after ten years	101,541		103,179	165,127	168,283
	4,775,475		4,787,337	4,875,929	4,895,378
Restricted investments	170,000		169,224	170,000	169,914
Equity securities	1,092,985		1,274,169	790,975	926,194
	$	6,038,460	6,230,730	5,836,904	5,991,486

Following is a summary of temporarily impaired AFS securities by the time period impaired as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	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)
2014
Tax exempt bonds	$	689,909		2,359	93,454		1,652	783,363		4,011
Taxable bonds	936,512			3,666	68,035		926	1,004,547		4,592
Restricted investments	169,224			776	—		—	169,224		776
Equity securities	107,352			8,373	6,229		1,936	113,581		10,309
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	1,902,997		15,174	167,718		4,514	2,070,715		19,688
2013
Tax exempt bonds	$	502,304		6,710	106,985		3,207	609,289		9,917
Taxable bonds	535,233			3,347	19,367		516	554,600		3,863
Restricted investments	169,914			86	—		—	169,914		86
Equity securities	31,400			3,499	3,152		401	34,552		3,900
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	1,238,851		13,642	129,504		4,124	1,368,355		17,766

There are 313 AFS securities contributing to the total unrealized loss of $19,688,000 as of December 27, 2014. Unrealized losses related to debt securities are primarily due to 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 equity securities are primarily due to temporary equity market fluctuations that are expected to recover.

33

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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

From time to time, the Company enters into Joint Ventures (JV), 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. The Company consolidates certain of these JVs in which it 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 27, 2014, the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated JVs were $149,745,000 and $62,867,000, respectively. As of December 28, 2013, the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated JVs were $156,164,000 and $50,205,000, 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 2014, 2013 and 2012 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 $92,678,000 and $20,485,000 during 2014 and 2013, respectively. Maturities of JV loans range from June 2016 through August 2017 and have variable interest rates based on a LIBOR index plus basis points ranging from 175 basis points to 250 basis points. Maturities of assumed shopping center loans range from March 2015 through January 2027 and have fixed interest rates ranging from 4.0% to 7.5%.

As of December 27, 2014, the aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt are as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	24,936
2016	48,684
2017	57,557
2018	36,680
2019	3,449
Thereafter	46,332
	$	217,638

(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.

34

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company made benefit payments to beneficiaries of retirees of $3,671,000, $3,769,000 and $3,785,000 during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 is as follows:

	2014			2013
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year	$	107,324		121,021
Service cost	50			114
Interest cost	4,939			4,521
Actuarial loss (gain)	2,166			(14,563	)
Benefit payments	(3,671		)	(3,769	)
Benefit obligation as of end of year	110,808			107,324
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year	—			—
Employer contributions	3,671			3,769
Benefit payments	(3,671		)	(3,769	)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year	—			—
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year	$	110,808		107,324
Current liability	$	4,238		4,561
Noncurrent liability	106,570			102,763
Total recognized liability	$	110,808		107,324

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

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	4,238
2016	4,418
2017	4,587
2018	4,751
2019	4,918
2020 through 2024	27,387
Thereafter	60,509
	$	110,808

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost consists of the following components:

	2014		2013	2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Service cost	$	50	114	148
Interest cost	4,939		4,521	4,866
Amortization of actuarial loss	552		5,253	3,115
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	5,541	9,888	8,129

35

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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:

	2014	2013	2012
Discount rate	4.0%	4.7%	3.8%
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:

	2014	2013	2012
Discount rate	4.7%	3.8%	4.6%
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 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 $310,050,000, $292,075,000 and $278,529,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Since the Company’s common stock is not traded on an established securities market, the 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. Under the Company’s administration of the ESOP’s put option, 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 $243,992,000 and $42,568,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The cost of the shares held by the ESOP totaled $2,436,536,000 and $2,280,335,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, 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 are classified as temporary equity in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $2,680,528,000 and $2,322,903,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The fair value of the shares held by the ESOP totaled $7,811,906,000 and $7,139,235,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

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 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Board of Directors approved a match of 50% of eligible annual contributions up to 3% of annual compensation, 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 $28,475,000, $26,714,000 and $24,957,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, 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.

36

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(7)    Income Taxes

Total income taxes for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were allocated as follows:

	2014		2013	2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Earnings	$	834,813	811,735	750,339
Other comprehensive earnings	13,938		30,674	5,056
	$	848,751	842,409	755,395

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

	Current		Deferred			Total
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2014
Federal	$	754,187		2,021		756,208
State	78,234			371		78,605
	$	832,421		2,392		834,813
2013
Federal	$	725,463		(17	)	725,446
State	85,211			1,078		86,289
	$	810,674		1,061		811,735
2012
Federal	$	654,715		9,861		664,576
State	88,622			(2,859	)	85,763
	$	743,337		7,002		750,339

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:

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Federal tax at statutory tax rate	$	899,542		862,991		805,908
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)	51,093			56,088		55,746
ESOP dividend	(61,270		)	(59,561	)	(76,900	)
Other, net	(54,552		)	(47,783	)	(34,415	)
	$	834,813		811,735		750,339

37

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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are as follows:

	2014		2013
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves	$	120,965	118,276
Retirement plan contributions	55,673		53,299
Postretirement benefit cost	42,733		41,384
Reserves not currently deductible	23,326		11,760
Leases	21,374		22,890
Purchase allowances	16,717		10,303
Inventory capitalization	14,437		13,178
Other	1,533		1,323
Total deferred tax assets	$	296,758	272,413
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation	$	528,469	507,308
Investment valuation	69,777		56,358
Other	16,037		9,942
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	614,283	573,608

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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013.

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 2010 through 2013 tax years, and the Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing the 2012 and 2013 tax years. The periods subject to examination for the Company’s state returns are the 2010 through 2013 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.

In 2014, the Company had $55,000,000 of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the annual effective tax rate. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits in 2013.

38

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(8) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings

A reconciliation of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive earnings net of income taxes for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

	AFS Securities				Postretirement Benefits			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2011		$	44,703			(14,442	)		30,261
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		19,956				—			19,956
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(6,373		)		—			(6,373	)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				(5,555	)		(5,555	)
Net other comprehensive earnings		13,583				(5,555	)		8,028
Balances at December 29, 2012		58,286				(19,997	)		38,289
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		65,861				—			65,861
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(29,311		)		—			(29,311	)
Amortization of actuarial gain reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				12,160			12,160
Net other comprehensive earnings		36,550				12,160			48,710
Balances at December 28, 2013		94,836				(7,837	)		86,999
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		58,968				—			58,968
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(35,842		)		—			(35,842	)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				(991	)		(991	)
Net other comprehensive earnings		23,126				(991	)		22,135
Balances at December 27, 2014		$	117,962			(8,828	)		109,134

39

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(9)    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 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 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Minimum rentals	$	439,525		429,755		432,450
Contingent rentals	118,839			116,445		112,819
Sublease rental income	(4,867		)	(4,820	)	(4,564	)
	$	553,497		541,380		540,705

As of December 27, 2014, 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)
2015		$	426,275		4,641	421,634
2016		406,077			3,438	402,639
2017		380,905			3,209	377,696
2018		352,484			2,910	349,574
2019		321,588			2,475	319,113
Thereafter		2,033,987			2,289	2,031,698
		$	3,921,316		18,962	3,902,354

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 obligations, including insurance and maintenance. Contingent rentals represent variable lease obligations, including real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and, for certain premises, excess rent. Rental income was $63,026,000, $47,056,000 and $40,367,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

40

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of December 27, 2014, future minimum rental payments to be received for all noncancelable operating leases are as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	60,168
2016	50,630
2017	41,142
2018	30,754
2019	20,623
Thereafter	87,698
	$	291,015

(b)Letters of Credit

As of December 27, 2014, the Company had $6,492,000 outstanding in trade letters of credit and $4,993,000 in standby letters of credit to support certain purchase obligations.

(c)Litigation

The Company is subject from time to time to various lawsuits, claims and charges arising 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 lawsuits, claims and charges, 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.

(10)    Quarterly Information (unaudited)

Following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for 2014 and 2013. All quarters have 13 weeks.

	Quarter
	First		Second	Third	Fourth
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
2014
Revenues	$	7,875,702	7,564,660	7,437,109	7,924,995
Costs and expenses	7,168,648		7,003,741	6,919,123	7,310,093
Net earnings	493,706		404,060	384,218	453,324
Basic and diluted earnings per share	0.63		0.52	0.49	0.58
2013
Revenues	$	7,559,054	7,096,675	7,077,528	7,414,261
Costs and expenses	6,874,363		6,523,255	6,574,650	6,855,512
Net earnings	471,253		400,882	359,867	421,952
Basic and diluted earnings per share	0.61		0.51	0.46	0.54

41

Schedule II

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013

and December 29, 2012

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 27, 2014
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current			$	150,860		317,734		317,441		151,153
Noncurrent			205,181			8,032		—		213,213
			$	356,041		325,766		317,441		364,366
Year Ended December 28, 2013
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current			$	138,998		332,922		321,060		150,860
Noncurrent			212,728			—		7,547		205,181
			$	351,726		332,922		328,607		356,041
Year Ended December 29, 2012
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current			$	125,569		306,788		293,359		138,998
Noncurrent			219,660			—		6,932		212,728
			$	345,229		306,788		300,291		351,726

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 on Form 10-K, 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 SEC’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 27, 2014 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 19 of this report.

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 on page 5. All other information regarding this item is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement of the Company (2015 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 2015 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 2015 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 2015 Proxy Statement.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference from the 2015 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 an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2012.
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, January 1, 2011, January 4, 2013, April 1, 2013, April 16, 2013, April 1, 2014 and May 3, 2014.
10.2	Incentive Bonus Plan is incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
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.
10.6	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan is incorporated by reference to an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2012.
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 27, 2014, 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.
March 2, 2015	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	March 2, 2015
Carol Jenkins Barnett
/s/ Hoyt R. Barnett	Vice Chairman and Director	March 2, 2015
Hoyt R. Barnett
/s/ William E. Crenshaw	Chief Executive Officer and Director	March 2, 2015
William E. Crenshaw	(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Jane B. Finley	Director	March 2, 2015
Jane B. Finley
/s/ Sherrill W. Hudson	Director	March 2, 2015
Sherrill W. Hudson
/s/ Charles H. Jenkins, Jr.	Chairman of the Board and Director	March 2, 2015
Charles H. Jenkins, Jr.
/s/ Howard M. Jenkins	Director	March 2, 2015
Howard M. Jenkins
/s/ Stephen M. Knopik	Director	March 2, 2015
Stephen M. Knopik
/s/ Maria A. Sastre	Director	March 2, 2015
Maria A. Sastre
/s/ David P. Phillips	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer	March 2, 2015
David P. Phillips	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

45

EX-21

Exhibit 21

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Publix Alabama, LLC (filed in Alabama)

Publix Apron’s Event Planning and Catering, LLC (filed in Florida)

Publix Asset Management Company (filed in Florida)

Publix North Carolina, LP (filed in Florida)

Publix North Carolina Employee Services, 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)

46

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 report dated March 2, 2015 with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, 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 27, 2014, and the related financial statement schedule as of December 27, 2014, which report appears in the December 27, 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Publix Super Markets, Inc.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Tampa, Florida

March 2, 2015

Certified Public Accountants

47

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:  March 2, 2015

/s/ William E. Crenshaw

William E. Crenshaw

Chief Executive Officer

48

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:  March 2, 2015

/s/ David P. Phillips

David P. Phillips

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

49

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 ended December 27, 2014 (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

March 2, 2015

50

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 ended December 27, 2014 (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

March 2, 2015

51

XML

Aggregate Annual Maturities and Scheduled Payments of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$ 24,936
2016	48,684
2017	57,557
2018	36,680
2019	3,449
Thereafter	46,332
Long-term Debt, Total	$ 217,638

XML

Total Rental Expense (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Minimum rentals	$ 439,525	$ 429,755	$ 432,450
Contingent rentals	118,839	116,445	112,819
Sublease rental income	(4,867)	(4,820)	(4,564)
Operating leases rent expense total	$ 553,497	$ 541,380	$ 540,705

XML

Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current
Federal	$ 754,187	$ 725,463	$ 654,715
State	78,234	85,211	88,622
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	832,421	810,674	743,337
Deferred
Federal	2,021	(17)	9,861
State	371	1,078	(2,859)
Deferred income taxes	2,392	1,061	7,002
Federal	756,208	725,446	664,576
State	78,605	86,289	85,763
Income tax expense	$ 834,813	$ 811,735	$ 750,339

XML

Future Minimum Lease Payments for All Noncancelable Operating Leases and Related Subleases (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2015	$ 421,634
2016	402,639
2017	377,696
2018	349,574
2019	319,113
Thereafter	2,031,698
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	3,902,354
Minimum Rental Commitments
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2015	426,275
2016	406,077
2017	380,905
2018	352,484
2019	321,588
Thereafter	2,033,987
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	3,921,316
Sublease Rental Income
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2015	4,641
2016	3,438
2017	3,209
2018	2,910
2019	2,475
Thereafter	2,289
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	$ 18,962

XML

Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Disclosure Retirement Plans Additional Information [Abstract]
Compensation expense (ESOP)	$ 310,050,000	$ 292,075,000	$ 278,529,000
Period during which the Company is required to purchase the shares at fair value after distribution of the shares from the ESOP, months	15 months
Distributed shares subject to put option, fair value	243,992,000	42,568,000
ESOP, shares cost	2,436,536,000	2,280,335,000
Common stock related to ESOP	2,680,528,000	2,322,903,000
ESOP shares, fair value	7,811,906,000	7,139,235,000
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%
Maximum amount match per employee	750	750	750
Compensation expenses match to 401(K) plan	$ 28,475,000	$ 26,714,000	$ 24,957,000

XML

Summary of Fair Value Measurements for Available for Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of available-for-sale securities	$ 6,230,730	$ 5,991,486
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of available-for-sale securities	1,439,360	1,085,194
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of available-for-sale securities	4,791,370	4,906,292
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of available-for-sale securities	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 7,924,995	$ 7,437,109	$ 7,564,660	$ 7,875,702	$ 7,414,261	$ 7,077,528	$ 7,096,675	$ 7,559,054	$ 30,802,466	$ 29,147,518	$ 27,706,772
Costs and expenses	7,310,093	6,919,123	7,003,741	7,168,648	6,855,512	6,574,650	6,523,255	6,874,363	28,401,605	26,827,780	25,541,521
Net earnings	$ 453,324	$ 384,218	$ 404,060	$ 493,706	$ 421,952	$ 359,867	$ 400,882	$ 471,253	$ 1,735,308	$ 1,653,954	$ 1,552,255
Basic and diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.49	$ 0.52	$ 0.63	$ 0.54	$ 0.46	$ 0.51	$ 0.61	$ 2.23	$ 2.12	$ 1.98

XML

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Aggregate Annual Maturities and Scheduled Payments of Long-Term Debt

As of December 27, 2014, the aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt are as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	24,936
2016	48,684
2017	57,557
2018	36,680
2019	3,449
Thereafter	46,332
	$	217,638

XML

Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes at Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Earnings Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal tax at statutory tax rate	$ 899,542	$ 862,991	$ 805,908
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)	51,093	56,088	55,746
ESOP dividend	(61,270)	(59,561)	(76,900)
Other, net	(54,552)	(47,783)	(34,415)
Income tax expense	$ 834,813	$ 811,735	$ 750,339

XML

Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
2015	$ 4,238
2016	4,418
2017	4,587
2018	4,751
2019	4,918
2020 through 2024	27,387
Thereafter	60,509
Total	$ 110,808

XML

Temporarily Impaired Available for Sale Securities by Time Period Impaired (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 1,902,997	$ 1,238,851
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	15,174	13,642
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	167,718	129,504
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	4,514	4,124
Total, Fair Value	2,070,715	1,368,355
Total, Unrealized Losses	19,688	17,766
Tax exempt bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	689,909	502,304
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	2,359	6,710
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	93,454	106,985
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	1,652	3,207
Total, Fair Value	783,363	609,289
Total, Unrealized Losses	4,011	9,917
Taxable bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	936,512	535,233
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	3,666	3,347
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	68,035	19,367
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	926	516
Total, Fair Value	1,004,547	554,600
Total, Unrealized Losses	4,592	3,863
Restricted investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	169,224	169,914
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	776	86
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	0	0
Total, Fair Value	169,224	169,914
Total, Unrealized Losses	776	86
Equity securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	107,352	31,400
Less Than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	8,373	3,499
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,229	3,152
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	1,936	401
Total, Fair Value	113,581	34,552
Total, Unrealized Losses	$ 10,309	$ 3,900

XML

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 86,999	$ 38,289	$ 30,261
Unrealized gain on AFS securities	58,968	65,861	19,956
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income	(35,842)	(29,311)	(6,373)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified to operating and administrative expenses	(991)	12,160	(5,555)
Net other comprehensive earnings	22,135	48,710	8,028
Balances at end of period	109,134	86,999	38,289
AFS Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	94,836	58,286	44,703
Unrealized gain on AFS securities	58,968	65,861	19,956
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income	(35,842)	(29,311)	(6,373)
Net other comprehensive earnings	23,126	36,550	13,583
Balances at end of period	117,962	94,836	58,286
Postretirement Benefits
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	(7,837)	(19,997)	(14,442)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified to operating and administrative expenses	(991)	12,160	(5,555)
Net other comprehensive earnings	(991)	12,160	(5,555)
Balances at end of period	$ (8,828)	$ (7,837)	$ (19,997)

XML

Total Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Earnings	$ 834,813	$ 811,735	$ 750,339
Other comprehensive earnings	13,938	30,674	5,056
Total	$ 848,751	$ 842,409	$ 755,395

XML

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends, per share	$ 0.74	$ 0.70	$ 0.89
Contribution of shares to retirement plans	10,272	12,967	12,451
Acquisition of shares from stockholders	21,356	21,602	24,889
Sale of shares to stockholders	8,835	9,262	8,857
Retirement of shares	12,480	11,196	16,076

XML

Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 50	$ 114	$ 148
Interest cost	4,939	4,521	4,866
Amortization of actuarial loss	552	5,253	3,115
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$ 5,541	$ 9,888	$ 8,129

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Total Rental Expense

Total rental expense for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Minimum rentals	$	439,525		429,755		432,450
Contingent rentals	118,839			116,445		112,819
Sublease rental income	(4,867		)	(4,820	)	(4,564	)
	$	553,497		541,380		540,705

Future Minimum Lease Payments for All Noncancelable Operating Leases and Related Subleases

As of December 27, 2014, 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)
2015		$	426,275		4,641	421,634
2016		406,077			3,438	402,639
2017		380,905			3,209	377,696
2018		352,484			2,910	349,574
2019		321,588			2,475	319,113
Thereafter		2,033,987			2,289	2,031,698
		$	3,921,316		18,962	3,902,354

Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Received Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Table Text Block]

As of December 27, 2014, future minimum rental payments to be received for all noncancelable operating leases are as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	60,168
2016	50,630
2017	41,142
2018	30,754
2019	20,623
Thereafter	87,698
	$	291,015

XML

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

reconciliation of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive earnings net of income taxes for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

	AFS Securities				Postretirement Benefits			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2011		$	44,703			(14,442	)		30,261
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		19,956				—			19,956
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(6,373		)		—			(6,373	)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				(5,555	)		(5,555	)
Net other comprehensive earnings		13,583				(5,555	)		8,028
Balances at December 29, 2012		58,286				(19,997	)		38,289
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		65,861				—			65,861
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(29,311		)		—			(29,311	)
Amortization of actuarial gain reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				12,160			12,160
Net other comprehensive earnings		36,550				12,160			48,710
Balances at December 28, 2013		94,836				(7,837	)		86,999
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		58,968				—			58,968
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(35,842		)		—			(35,842	)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				(991	)		(991	)
Net other comprehensive earnings		23,126				(991	)		22,135
Balances at December 27, 2014		$	117,962			(8,828	)		109,134

XML

Commitments and Contingencies Future Minimum Rental Payments to be Received (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$ 60,168
2016	50,630
2017	41,142
2018	30,754
2019	20,623
Thereafter	87,698
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable	$ 291,015

XML

Actuarial Assumptions Used in Calculation of Year End Benefit Obligation (Detail)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.00%	4.70%	3.80%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%

XML

Quarterly Information (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Results of Operations

Following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for 2014 and 2013. All quarters have 13 weeks.

	Quarter
	First		Second	Third	Fourth
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
2014
Revenues	$	7,875,702	7,564,660	7,437,109	7,924,995
Costs and expenses	7,168,648		7,003,741	6,919,123	7,310,093
Net earnings	493,706		404,060	384,218	453,324
Basic and diluted earnings per share	0.63		0.52	0.49	0.58
2013
Revenues	$	7,559,054	7,096,675	7,077,528	7,414,261
Costs and expenses	6,874,363		6,523,255	6,574,650	6,855,512
Net earnings	471,253		400,882	359,867	421,952
Basic and diluted earnings per share	0.61		0.51	0.46	0.54

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percent of cost for inventories determined using LIFO	84.00%	84.00%
Inventories and current assets excess if reported as FIFO	$ 420,507	$ 389,764
Amounts capitalized on computer software costs	11,903	11,588	11,144
Cooperative advertising allowances recognized	10,873	11,155	9,190
Advertising costs	232,499	217,451	208,295
Affordable Housing Investments Amortization	$ 24,762
Computer Software
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life of computer software, years	3 years

XML

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	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
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 6,158,793	$ 779,675	$ 1,354,881	$ 6,131,193	$ 0	$ 30,261	$ (2,137,217)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive earnings	1,560,283			1,552,255		8,028
Dividends per share	(698,652)			(698,652)
Contribution of shares to retirement plans	278,906	9,845	216,232		52,829
Acquisition of shares from stockholders	(551,816)				(551,816)
Sale of shares to stockholders	197,448	2,650	56,145		138,653
Retirement of shares		(16,076)		(344,258)	360,334
Change for ESOP related shares	(135,746)						(135,746)
Ending Balance at Dec. 29, 2012	6,809,216	776,094	1,627,258	6,640,538	0	38,289	(2,272,963)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive earnings	1,702,664			1,653,954		48,710
Dividends per share	(547,287)			(547,287)
Contribution of shares to retirement plans	300,845	9,548	214,371		76,926
Acquisition of shares from stockholders	(563,470)				(563,470)
Sale of shares to stockholders	242,211	2,275	57,345		182,591
Retirement of shares		(11,196)		(292,757)	303,953
Change for ESOP related shares	(49,940)						(49,940)
Ending Balance at Dec. 28, 2013	7,894,239	776,721	1,898,974	7,454,448	0	86,999	(2,322,903)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive earnings	1,757,443			1,735,308		22,135
Dividends per share	(577,227)			(577,227)
Contribution of shares to retirement plans	309,714	8,063	235,362		66,289
Acquisition of shares from stockholders	(688,339)				(688,339)
Sale of shares to stockholders	284,105	2,168	66,556		215,381
Retirement of shares		(12,480)		(394,189)	406,669
Change for ESOP related shares	(357,625)						(357,625)
Ending Balance at Dec. 27, 2014	$ 8,622,310	$ 774,472	$ 2,200,892	$ 8,218,340	$ 0	$ 109,134	$ (2,680,528)

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Assets Recorded at Cost and Depreciated Using Straight-Line Method Over Estimated Useful Lives or Terms of Related Leases, If Shorter (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years	10 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years	40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | Minimum
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years	3 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | Maximum
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years	20 years
Leasehold improvements | Minimum
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years	10 years
Leasehold improvements | Maximum
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, years	20 years

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Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014 Age	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Postemployment 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 years
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
Minimum age that eligible employees are required to have in order to receive post retirement benefits	55
Minimum years of service that eligible employees are required to have in order to receive post retirement benefits	10 years
Benefit payments	$ 3,671	$ 3,769	$ 3,785
Accumulation of losses, maximum percentage threshold to amortize actuarial losses	10.00%

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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating leases, initial term, years	20 years
Renewal term	5 years
Rental income	$ 63,026	$ 47,056	$ 40,367
Trade Letter of Credit
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit to support purchase obligation	6,492
Standby Letters of Credit
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Letter of credit to support purchase obligation	$ 4,993

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 407,493	$ 301,868
Short-term investments	999,169	829,559
Trade receivables	549,443	540,156
Merchandise inventories	1,597,683	1,506,977
Deferred tax assets	71,142	55,761
Prepaid expenses	108,619	25,823
Total current assets	3,733,549	3,260,144
Long-term investments	5,231,561	5,161,927
Other noncurrent assets	395,428	319,818
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	936,185	716,071
Buildings and improvements	2,959,186	2,352,447
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	4,101,837	3,759,007
Leasehold improvements	1,514,200	1,438,871
Construction in progress	155,382	152,240
Property, plant and equipment	9,666,790	8,418,636
Accumulated depreciation	(3,943,848)	(3,613,884)
Net property, plant and equipment	5,722,942	4,804,752
Assets, Total	15,083,480	13,546,641
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,538,108	1,383,134
Accrued expenses:
Contributions to retirement plans	477,154	448,339
Self-insurance reserves	151,153	150,860
Salaries and wages	120,372	116,116
Other	373,086	223,048
Current portion of long-term debt	24,936	37,509
Federal and state income taxes	12,982	19,916
Total current liabilities	2,697,791	2,378,922
Deferred tax liabilities	388,667	356,956
Self-insurance reserves	213,213	205,181
Accrued postretirement benefit cost	106,570	102,763
Long-term debt	192,702	124,645
Other noncurrent liabilities	139,314	110,378
Total liabilities	3,738,257	3,278,845
Common stock related to Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)	2,680,528	2,322,903
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 774,472 shares in 2014 and 776,721 shares in 2013	774,472	776,721
Additional paid-in capital	2,200,892	1,898,974
Retained earnings	8,218,340	7,454,448
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	109,134	86,999
Common stock related to ESOP	(2,680,528)	(2,322,903)
Total stockholders’ equity	8,622,310	7,894,239
Noncontrolling interests	42,385	50,654
Total equity	11,345,223	10,267,796
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Liabilities and stockholders' equity, total	$ 15,083,480	$ 13,546,641

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Actuarial Assumptions Used in Calculation of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.70%	3.80%	4.60%
Rate of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale (AFS) securities, tax effect	$ 37,133	$ 41,474	$ 12,567
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gain on AFS securities, tax effect	(22,571)	(18,458)	(4,013)
Adjustment to postretirement benefit plan obligation, tax effect	$ (624)	$ 7,658	$ (3,498)

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Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014 Securities	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total realized gains on sales of AFS securities	$ 61,390	$ 64,637	$ 23,772
Total realized losses on sales of AFS securities	2,977	16,868	13,386
Number of AFS securities issues contributing to total unrealized loss	313
Total, Unrealized Losses	19,688	17,766
Equity securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total, Unrealized Losses	$ 10,309	$ 3,900

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Assets Recorded at Cost and Depreciated Using Straight-Line Method Over Estimated Useful Lives or Terms of Related Leases, If Shorter

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	10 – 20 years

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Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available for Sale Securities by Expected Maturity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$ 996,674	$ 824,780
Due after one year through five years	3,493,708	3,590,615
Due after five years through ten years	183,552	295,407
Due after ten years	101,541	165,127
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis, Total	4,775,475	4,875,929
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	6,038,460	5,836,904
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	999,169	829,559
Due after one year through five years	3,501,821	3,609,115
Due after five years through ten years	183,168	288,421
Due after ten years	103,179	168,283
Fair value of available for sale securities, debt	4,787,337	4,895,378
Fair value of available-for-sale securities	6,230,730	5,991,486
Restricted investments
Amortized Cost
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	170,000	170,000
Fair Value
Fair value of available-for-sale securities	169,224	169,914
Equity securities
Amortized Cost
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	1,092,985	790,975
Fair Value
Fair value of available-for-sale securities	$ 1,274,169	$ 926,194

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Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Available For Sale Securities

Following is a summary of AFS securities as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2014
Tax exempt bonds	$	3,205,647		17,460		4,011	3,219,096
Taxable bonds	1,569,828			3,005		4,592	1,568,241
Restricted investments	170,000			—		776	169,224
Equity securities	1,092,985			191,493		10,309	1,274,169
	$	6,038,460		211,958		19,688	6,230,730
2013
Tax exempt bonds	$	3,430,028		25,588		9,917	3,445,699
Taxable bonds	1,445,901			7,641		3,863	1,449,679
Restricted investments	170,000			—		86	169,914
Equity securities	790,975			139,119		3,900	926,194
	$	5,836,904		172,348		17,766	5,991,486

Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available for Sale Securities by Expected Maturity

The amortized cost and fair value of AFS securities by expected maturity as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are as follows:

	2014			2013
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value	Amortized Cost	Fair Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	996,674	999,169	824,780	829,559
Due after one year through five years	3,493,708		3,501,821	3,590,615	3,609,115
Due after five years through ten years	183,552		183,168	295,407	288,421
Due after ten years	101,541		103,179	165,127	168,283
	4,775,475		4,787,337	4,875,929	4,895,378
Restricted investments	170,000		169,224	170,000	169,914
Equity securities	1,092,985		1,274,169	790,975	926,194
	$	6,038,460	6,230,730	5,836,904	5,991,486

Temporarily Impaired Available for Sale Securities by Time Period Impaired

Following is a summary of temporarily impaired AFS securities by the time period impaired as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	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)
2014
Tax exempt bonds	$	689,909		2,359	93,454		1,652	783,363		4,011
Taxable bonds	936,512			3,666	68,035		926	1,004,547		4,592
Restricted investments	169,224			776	—		—	169,224		776
Equity securities	107,352			8,373	6,229		1,936	113,581		10,309
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	1,902,997		15,174	167,718		4,514	2,070,715		19,688
2013
Tax exempt bonds	$	502,304		6,710	106,985		3,207	609,289		9,917
Taxable bonds	535,233			3,347	19,367		516	554,600		3,863
Restricted investments	169,914			86	—		—	169,914		86
Equity securities	31,400			3,499	3,152		401	34,552		3,900
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	1,238,851		13,642	129,504		4,124	1,368,355		17,766

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$ 30,596,486	$ 28,942,460	$ 27,579,893
Cash paid to employees and suppliers	(27,045,219)	(25,673,800)	(24,279,245)
Income taxes paid	(895,758)	(789,721)	(785,147)
Self-insured claims paid	(317,441)	(321,060)	(293,359)
Dividends and interest received	222,134	205,923	182,025
Other operating cash receipts	235,642	222,178	214,022
Other operating cash payments	(18,612)	(18,677)	(13,982)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,777,232	2,567,303	2,604,207
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for capital expenditures	(1,374,124)	(668,485)	(697,112)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	40,222	21,360	5,503
Payment for investments	(1,839,814)	(2,442,298)	(1,882,223)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments	1,532,007	1,367,922	1,010,277
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,641,709)	(1,721,501)	(1,563,555)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for acquisition of common stock	(688,339)	(563,470)	(551,816)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	284,105	242,211	197,448
Dividends paid	(577,227)	(547,287)	(698,652)
Repayments of long-term debt	(57,442)	(16,803)	(18,277)
Other, net	9,005	4,015	1,192
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,029,898)	(881,334)	(1,070,105)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	105,625	(35,532)	(29,453)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	301,868	337,400	366,853
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	407,493	301,868	337,400
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings	1,735,308	1,653,954	1,552,255
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	513,393	501,689	493,239
Increase in LIFO reserve	30,743	14,787	28,419
Retirement contributions paid or payable in common stock	338,979	319,175	304,285
Deferred income taxes	2,392	1,061	7,002
Loss on disposal and impairment of property, plant and equipment	26,155	26,065	24,855
Gain on AFS securities	(58,413)	(47,769)	(10,386)
Net amortization of investments	137,533	133,422	108,300
Change in operating assets and liabilities providing (requiring) cash:
Trade receivables	(8,829)	(21,086)	22,517
Merchandise inventories	(121,449)	(112,397)	(76,077)
Prepaid expenses and other noncurrent assets	(4,210)	(1,757)	(3,374)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	268,491	76,083	181,916
Self-insurance reserves	8,325	4,315	6,497
Federal and state income taxes	(86,910)	21,844	(41,153)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(4,276)	(2,083)	5,912
Total adjustments	1,041,924	913,349	1,051,952
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 2,777,232	$ 2,567,303	$ 2,604,207

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	774,472,000	776,721,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	774,472,000	776,721,000

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings

A reconciliation of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive earnings net of income taxes for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

	AFS Securities				Postretirement Benefits			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
		(Amounts are in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2011		$	44,703			(14,442	)		30,261
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		19,956				—			19,956
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(6,373		)		—			(6,373	)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				(5,555	)		(5,555	)
Net other comprehensive earnings		13,583				(5,555	)		8,028
Balances at December 29, 2012		58,286				(19,997	)		38,289
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		65,861				—			65,861
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(29,311		)		—			(29,311	)
Amortization of actuarial gain reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				12,160			12,160
Net other comprehensive earnings		36,550				12,160			48,710
Balances at December 28, 2013		94,836				(7,837	)		86,999
Unrealized gain on AFS securities		58,968				—			58,968
Net realized gain on AFS securities reclassified to investment income		(35,842		)		—			(35,842	)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified to operating and administrative expenses		—				(991	)		(991	)
Net other comprehensive earnings		23,126				(991	)		22,135
Balances at December 27, 2014		$	117,962			(8,828	)		109,134

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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Feb. 03, 2015	Jun. 27, 2014
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 27, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	ck0000081061
Entity Registrant Name	PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000081061
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-27
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		773,305,000
Entity Public Float			$ 12,701,577,000

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Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

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 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 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Minimum rentals	$	439,525		429,755		432,450
Contingent rentals	118,839			116,445		112,819
Sublease rental income	(4,867		)	(4,820	)	(4,564	)
	$	553,497		541,380		540,705

As of December 27, 2014, 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)
2015		$	426,275		4,641	421,634
2016		406,077			3,438	402,639
2017		380,905			3,209	377,696
2018		352,484			2,910	349,574
2019		321,588			2,475	319,113
Thereafter		2,033,987			2,289	2,031,698
		$	3,921,316		18,962	3,902,354

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 obligations, including insurance and maintenance. Contingent rentals represent variable lease obligations, including real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and, for certain premises, excess rent. Rental income was $63,026,000, $47,056,000 and $40,367,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

As of December 27, 2014, future minimum rental payments to be received for all noncancelable operating leases are as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	60,168
2016	50,630
2017	41,142
2018	30,754
2019	20,623
Thereafter	87,698
	$	291,015

(b)Letters of Credit

As of December 27, 2014, the Company had $6,492,000 outstanding in trade letters of credit and $4,993,000 in standby letters of credit to support certain purchase obligations.

(c)Litigation

The Company is subject from time to time to various lawsuits, claims and charges arising 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 lawsuits, claims and charges, 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.

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Revenues:
Sales	$ 30,559,505	$ 28,917,439	$ 27,484,766
Other operating income	242,961	230,079	222,006
Total revenues	30,802,466	29,147,518	27,706,772
Costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise sold	22,232,650	20,937,319	19,910,984
Operating and administrative expenses	6,168,955	5,890,461	5,630,537
Total costs and expenses	28,401,605	26,827,780	25,541,521
Operating profit	2,400,861	2,319,738	2,165,251
Investment income	143,875	127,299	88,449
Other nonoperating income, net	25,385	18,652	48,894
Earnings before income tax expense	2,570,121	2,465,689	2,302,594
Income tax expense	834,813	811,735	750,339
Net earnings	$ 1,735,308	$ 1,653,954	$ 1,552,255
Weighted average shares outstanding	778,708	780,188	782,553
Basic and diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.23	$ 2.12	$ 1.98

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Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments

Investments

Following is a summary of AFS securities as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2014
Tax exempt bonds	$	3,205,647		17,460		4,011	3,219,096
Taxable bonds	1,569,828			3,005		4,592	1,568,241
Restricted investments	170,000			—		776	169,224
Equity securities	1,092,985			191,493		10,309	1,274,169
	$	6,038,460		211,958		19,688	6,230,730
2013
Tax exempt bonds	$	3,430,028		25,588		9,917	3,445,699
Taxable bonds	1,445,901			7,641		3,863	1,449,679
Restricted investments	170,000			—		86	169,914
Equity securities	790,975			139,119		3,900	926,194
	$	5,836,904		172,348		17,766	5,991,486

Realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $61,390,000 for 2014. Realized losses on sales of AFS securities totaled $2,977,000 for 2014.

Realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $64,637,000 for 2013. Realized losses on sales of AFS securities totaled $16,868,000 for 2013.

Realized gains on sales of AFS securities totaled $23,772,000 for 2012. Realized losses on sales of AFS securities totaled $13,386,000 for 2012.

The amortized cost and fair value of AFS securities by expected maturity as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are as follows:

	2014			2013
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value	Amortized Cost	Fair Value
			(Amounts are in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	996,674	999,169	824,780	829,559
Due after one year through five years	3,493,708		3,501,821	3,590,615	3,609,115
Due after five years through ten years	183,552		183,168	295,407	288,421
Due after ten years	101,541		103,179	165,127	168,283
	4,775,475		4,787,337	4,875,929	4,895,378
Restricted investments	170,000		169,224	170,000	169,914
Equity securities	1,092,985		1,274,169	790,975	926,194
	$	6,038,460	6,230,730	5,836,904	5,991,486

Following is a summary of temporarily impaired AFS securities by the time period impaired as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	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)
2014
Tax exempt bonds	$	689,909		2,359	93,454		1,652	783,363		4,011
Taxable bonds	936,512			3,666	68,035		926	1,004,547		4,592
Restricted investments	169,224			776	—		—	169,224		776
Equity securities	107,352			8,373	6,229		1,936	113,581		10,309
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	1,902,997		15,174	167,718		4,514	2,070,715		19,688
2013
Tax exempt bonds	$	502,304		6,710	106,985		3,207	609,289		9,917
Taxable bonds	535,233			3,347	19,367		516	554,600		3,863
Restricted investments	169,914			86	—		—	169,914		86
Equity securities	31,400			3,499	3,152		401	34,552		3,900
Total temporarily impaired AFS securities	$	1,238,851		13,642	129,504		4,124	1,368,355		17,766

There are 313 AFS securities contributing to the total unrealized loss of $19,688,000 as of December 27, 2014. Unrealized losses related to debt securities are primarily due to 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 equity securities are primarily due to temporary equity market fluctuations that are expected to recover.

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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, approximates 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, exchange traded funds 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. 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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	Fair Value		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(Amounts are in thousands)
December 27, 2014	$	6,230,730	1,439,360	4,791,370	—
December 28, 2013	5,991,486		1,085,194	4,906,292	—

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Value Measurements for Available for Sale Securities

Following is a summary of fair value measurements for AFS securities as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013:

	Fair Value		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(Amounts are in thousands)
December 27, 2014	$	6,230,730	1,439,360	4,791,370	—
December 28, 2013	5,991,486		1,085,194	4,906,292	—

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Quarterly Information (unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Information (unaudited)

Quarterly Information (unaudited)

Following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for 2014 and 2013. All quarters have 13 weeks.

	Quarter
	First		Second	Third	Fourth
	(Amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts)
2014
Revenues	$	7,875,702	7,564,660	7,437,109	7,924,995
Costs and expenses	7,168,648		7,003,741	6,919,123	7,310,093
Net earnings	493,706		404,060	384,218	453,324
Basic and diluted earnings per share	0.63		0.52	0.49	0.58
2013
Revenues	$	7,559,054	7,096,675	7,077,528	7,414,261
Costs and expenses	6,874,363		6,523,255	6,574,650	6,855,512
Net earnings	471,253		400,882	359,867	421,952
Basic and diluted earnings per share	0.61		0.51	0.46	0.54

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Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Disclosure Retirement Plans Additional Information [Abstract]

Retirement Plans

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 $310,050,000, $292,075,000 and $278,529,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Since the Company’s common stock is not traded on an established securities market, the 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. Under the Company’s administration of the ESOP’s put option, 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 $243,992,000 and $42,568,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The cost of the shares held by the ESOP totaled $2,436,536,000 and $2,280,335,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, 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 are classified as temporary equity in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $2,680,528,000 and $2,322,903,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The fair value of the shares held by the ESOP totaled $7,811,906,000 and $7,139,235,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

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 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Board of Directors approved a match of 50% of eligible annual contributions up to 3% of annual compensation, 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 $28,475,000, $26,714,000 and $24,957,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, 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.

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Consolidation of Joint Ventures and Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Consolidation of Joint Ventures and Long-Term Debt

Consolidation of Joint Ventures and Long-Term Debt

From time to time, the Company enters into Joint Ventures (JV), 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. The Company consolidates certain of these JVs in which it 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 27, 2014, the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated JVs were $149,745,000 and $62,867,000, respectively. As of December 28, 2013, the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated JVs were $156,164,000 and $50,205,000, 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 2014, 2013 and 2012 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 $92,678,000 and $20,485,000 during 2014 and 2013, respectively. Maturities of JV loans range from June 2016 through August 2017 and have variable interest rates based on a LIBOR index plus basis points ranging from 175 basis points to 250 basis points. Maturities of assumed shopping center loans range from March 2015 through January 2027 and have fixed interest rates ranging from 4.0% to 7.5%.

As of December 27, 2014, the aggregate annual maturities and scheduled payments of long-term debt are as follows:

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	24,936
2016	48,684
2017	57,557
2018	36,680
2019	3,449
Thereafter	46,332
	$	217,638

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Postretirement Benefits

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]

Postretirement Benefits

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.

The Company made benefit payments to beneficiaries of retirees of $3,671,000, $3,769,000 and $3,785,000 during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 is as follows:

	2014			2013
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year	$	107,324		121,021
Service cost	50			114
Interest cost	4,939			4,521
Actuarial loss (gain)	2,166			(14,563	)
Benefit payments	(3,671		)	(3,769	)
Benefit obligation as of end of year	110,808			107,324
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year	—			—
Employer contributions	3,671			3,769
Benefit payments	(3,671		)	(3,769	)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year	—			—
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year	$	110,808		107,324
Current liability	$	4,238		4,561
Noncurrent liability	106,570			102,763
Total recognized liability	$	110,808		107,324

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

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	4,238
2016	4,418
2017	4,587
2018	4,751
2019	4,918
2020 through 2024	27,387
Thereafter	60,509
	$	110,808

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost consists of the following components:

	2014		2013	2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Service cost	$	50	114	148
Interest cost	4,939		4,521	4,866
Amortization of actuarial loss	552		5,253	3,115
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	5,541	9,888	8,129

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:

	2014	2013	2012
Discount rate	4.0%	4.7%	3.8%
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:

	2014	2013	2012
Discount rate	4.7%	3.8%	4.6%
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 bonds with a rating of AA or better.

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Total income taxes for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were allocated as follows:

	2014		2013	2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Earnings	$	834,813	811,735	750,339
Other comprehensive earnings	13,938		30,674	5,056
	$	848,751	842,409	755,395

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

	Current		Deferred			Total
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2014
Federal	$	754,187		2,021		756,208
State	78,234			371		78,605
	$	832,421		2,392		834,813
2013
Federal	$	725,463		(17	)	725,446
State	85,211			1,078		86,289
	$	810,674		1,061		811,735
2012
Federal	$	654,715		9,861		664,576
State	88,622			(2,859	)	85,763
	$	743,337		7,002		750,339

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:

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Federal tax at statutory tax rate	$	899,542		862,991		805,908
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)	51,093			56,088		55,746
ESOP dividend	(61,270		)	(59,561	)	(76,900	)
Other, net	(54,552		)	(47,783	)	(34,415	)
	$	834,813		811,735		750,339

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are as follows:

	2014		2013
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves	$	120,965	118,276
Retirement plan contributions	55,673		53,299
Postretirement benefit cost	42,733		41,384
Reserves not currently deductible	23,326		11,760
Leases	21,374		22,890
Purchase allowances	16,717		10,303
Inventory capitalization	14,437		13,178
Other	1,533		1,323
Total deferred tax assets	$	296,758	272,413
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation	$	528,469	507,308
Investment valuation	69,777		56,358
Other	16,037		9,942
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	614,283	573,608

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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013.

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 2010 through 2013 tax years, and the Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing the 2012 and 2013 tax years. The periods subject to examination for the Company’s state returns are the 2010 through 2013 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.

In 2014, the Company had $55,000,000 of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the annual effective tax rate. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits in 2013.

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Available for Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 6,038,460	$ 5,836,904
Gross Unrealized Gains	211,958	172,348
Gross Unrealized Losses	19,688	17,766
Fair Value	6,230,730	5,991,486
Tax exempt bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3,205,647	3,430,028
Gross Unrealized Gains	17,460	25,588
Gross Unrealized Losses	4,011	9,917
Fair Value	3,219,096	3,445,699
Taxable bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,569,828	1,445,901
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,005	7,641
Gross Unrealized Losses	4,592	3,863
Fair Value	1,568,241	1,449,679
Restricted investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	170,000	170,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	776	86
Fair Value	169,224	169,914
Equity securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,092,985	790,975
Gross Unrealized Gains	191,493	139,119
Gross Unrealized Losses	10,309	3,900
Fair Value	$ 1,274,169	$ 926,194

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Tax Effect of Temporary Differences That Give Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves	$ 120,965	$ 118,276
Retirement plan contributions	55,673	53,299
Postretirement benefit cost	42,733	41,384
Reserves not currently deductible	23,326	11,760
Leases	21,374	22,890
Purchase allowances	16,717	10,303
Inventory capitalization	14,437	13,178
Other	1,533	1,323
Total deferred tax assets	296,758	272,413
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation	528,469	507,308
Investment valuation	69,777	56,358
Other	16,037	9,942
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ 614,283	$ 573,608

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business

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, Tennessee and North Carolina. 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

Principles of Consolidation

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

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 include 52 weeks.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

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

Trade Receivables

Trade Receivables

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

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost for 84% of inventories was determined using the dollar value last-in, first-out (LIFO) method as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013. 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 $420,507,000 and $389,764,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively.

Investments

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 security. The cost of AFS securities sold is based on the FIFO method.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

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	10 – 20 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

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 $11,903,000, $11,588,000 and $11,144,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

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

Self-Insurance

The Company is self-insured for health care claims and property, plant and equipment losses. The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. 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.

Comprehensive Earnings

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.

Revenue Recognition

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

Sales Taxes

The Company records sales net of applicable sales taxes.

Other Operating Income

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, mall gift card commissions, vending machine commissions, money transfer fees and coupon redemption income.

Cost of Merchandise Sold

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 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 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 $10,873,000, $11,155,000 and $9,190,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $232,499,000, $217,451,000 and $208,295,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Other Nonoperating Income, net

Other Nonoperating Income, net

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

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Common Stock and Earnings Per Share

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 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. 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 Company’s common stock in the 401(k) Plan votes the shares held in that plan.

Use of Estimates

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.

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Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Reconciliation of Changes in Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets and Unfunded Status of Plan

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 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 is as follows:

	2014			2013
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year	$	107,324		121,021
Service cost	50			114
Interest cost	4,939			4,521
Actuarial loss (gain)	2,166			(14,563	)
Benefit payments	(3,671		)	(3,769	)
Benefit obligation as of end of year	110,808			107,324
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year	—			—
Employer contributions	3,671			3,769
Benefit payments	(3,671		)	(3,769	)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year	—			—
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year	$	110,808		107,324
Current liability	$	4,238		4,561
Noncurrent liability	106,570			102,763
Total recognized liability	$	110,808		107,324

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

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

Year
(Amounts are in thousands)
2015	$	4,238
2016	4,418
2017	4,587
2018	4,751
2019	4,918
2020 through 2024	27,387
Thereafter	60,509
	$	110,808

Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost consists of the following components:

	2014		2013	2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Service cost	$	50	114	148
Interest cost	4,939		4,521	4,866
Amortization of actuarial loss	552		5,253	3,115
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	5,541	9,888	8,129

Defined Benefit Obligations

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Actuarial Assumptions Used in Calculation of Benefit Obligation

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

	2014	2013	2012
Discount rate	4.0%	4.7%	3.8%
Rate of compensation increase	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%

Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Actuarial Assumptions Used in Calculation of Benefit Obligation

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

	2014	2013	2012
Discount rate	4.7%	3.8%	4.6%
Rate of compensation increase	4.0%	4.0%	4.0%

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Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 55,000,000	$ 0

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Reconciliation of Changes in Benefit Obligation and Fair Value of Plan Assets and Unfunded Status of Plan (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Change in benefit obligation:
Service cost	$ 50	$ 114	$ 148
Interest cost	4,939	4,521	4,866
Benefit payments	(3,671)	(3,769)	(3,785)
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Benefit payments	(3,671)	(3,769)	(3,785)
Current liability	4,238	4,561
Noncurrent liability	106,570	102,763
Total recognized liability	110,808	107,324
Change in Benefit Obligation
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation as of beginning of year	107,324	121,021
Service cost	50	114
Interest cost	4,939	4,521
Actuarial loss (gain)	2,166	(14,563)
Benefit payments	(3,671)	(3,769)
Benefit obligation as of end of year	110,808	107,324
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Benefit payments	(3,671)	(3,769)
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit payments	(3,671)	(3,769)
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets as of beginning of year	0	0
Employer contributions	3,671	3,769
Benefit payments	(3,671)	(3,769)
Fair value of plan assets as of end of year	0	0
Unfunded status of the plan as of end of year	$ 110,808	$ 107,324

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 1,735,308	$ 1,653,954	$ 1,552,255
Other comprehensive earnings:
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale (AFS) securities, net of tax effect of $37,133, $41,474 and $12,567 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	58,968	65,861	19,956
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gain on AFS securities, net of tax effect of $(22,571), $(18,458) and $(4,013) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	(35,842)	(29,311)	(6,373)
Adjustment to postretirement benefit plan obligation, net of tax effect of $(624), $7,658 and $(3,498) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively	(991)	12,160	(5,555)
Comprehensive earnings	$ 1,757,443	$ 1,702,664	$ 1,560,283

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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, Tennessee and North Carolina. 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 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 years 2014, 2013 and 2012 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% of inventories was determined using the dollar value last-in, first-out (LIFO) method as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013. 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 $420,507,000 and $389,764,000 as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, 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 security. 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	10 – 20 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 $11,903,000, $11,588,000 and $11,144,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, 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

The Company is self-insured for health care claims and property, plant and equipment losses. The Company has insurance coverage for losses in excess of self-insurance limits for fleet liability, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. 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.

(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.

(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, mall gift card commissions, vending machine 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 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 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 $10,873,000, $11,155,000 and $9,190,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(q) Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were $232,499,000, $217,451,000 and $208,295,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(r) Other Nonoperating Income, net

Other nonoperating 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. In 2014, the Company began accounting for qualified affordable housing investments using the proportional amortization method. Under this method, the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax credits received and the net investment performance is recorded as income tax expense. Amortization of these investments for 2014 totaled $24,762,000 and is recorded as 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 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. 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 Company’s common stock in 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.

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Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 356,041	$ 351,726	$ 345,229
Additions Charged to Income	325,766	332,922	306,788
Deductions From Reserves	317,441	328,607	300,291
Balance at End of Year	364,366	356,041	351,726
Self-Insurance Reserves, Current
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	150,860	138,998	125,569
Additions Charged to Income	317,734	332,922	306,788
Deductions From Reserves	317,441	321,060	293,359
Balance at End of Year	151,153	150,860	138,998
Self-Insurance Reserves, Noncurrent
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	205,181	212,728	219,660
Additions Charged to Income	8,032	0	0
Deductions From Reserves	0	7,547	6,932
Balance at End of Year	$ 213,213	$ 205,181	$ 212,728

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Total Income Taxes

Total income taxes for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were allocated as follows:

	2014		2013	2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Earnings	$	834,813	811,735	750,339
Other comprehensive earnings	13,938		30,674	5,056
	$	848,751	842,409	755,395

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

	Current		Deferred			Total
	(Amounts are in thousands)
2014
Federal	$	754,187		2,021		756,208
State	78,234			371		78,605
	$	832,421		2,392		834,813
2013
Federal	$	725,463		(17	)	725,446
State	85,211			1,078		86,289
	$	810,674		1,061		811,735
2012
Federal	$	654,715		9,861		664,576
State	88,622			(2,859	)	85,763
	$	743,337		7,002		750,339

Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes at Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Earnings Before Income Taxes

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:

	2014			2013		2012
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Federal tax at statutory tax rate	$	899,542		862,991		805,908
State income taxes (net of federal tax benefit)	51,093			56,088		55,746
ESOP dividend	(61,270		)	(59,561	)	(76,900	)
Other, net	(54,552		)	(47,783	)	(34,415	)
	$	834,813		811,735		750,339

Tax Effect of Temporary Differences That Give Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are as follows:

	2014		2013
	(Amounts are in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Self-insurance reserves	$	120,965	118,276
Retirement plan contributions	55,673		53,299
Postretirement benefit cost	42,733		41,384
Reserves not currently deductible	23,326		11,760
Leases	21,374		22,890
Purchase allowances	16,717		10,303
Inventory capitalization	14,437		13,178
Other	1,533		1,323
Total deferred tax assets	$	296,758	272,413
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, primarily due to depreciation	$	528,469	507,308
Investment valuation	69,777		56,358
Other	16,037		9,942
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	614,283	573,608

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Consolidation of Joint Ventures and Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying amount of assets of the consolidated JVs	$ 149,745,000	$ 156,164,000
Carrying amount of liabilities of the consolidated JVs	62,867,000	50,205,000
Loans assumed	$ 92,678,000	$ 20,485,000
Minimum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Basis points added to LIBOR to determine variable interest rate	1.75%
Debt Instrument Maturity Month And Year	2016-06
Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Basis points added to LIBOR to determine variable interest rate	2.50%
Debt Instrument Maturity Month And Year	2017-08
Shopping Center Loans
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt instrument fixed interest rate, minimum	4.00%
Debt instrument fixed interest rate, maximum	7.50%
Shopping Center Loans | Minimum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Maturity Month And Year	2015-03
Shopping Center Loans | Maximum
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Maturity Month And Year	2027-01

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Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Schedule II

PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013

and December 29, 2012

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 27, 2014
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current			$	150,860		317,734		317,441		151,153
Noncurrent			205,181			8,032		—		213,213
			$	356,041		325,766		317,441		364,366
Year Ended December 28, 2013
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current			$	138,998		332,922		321,060		150,860
Noncurrent			212,728			—		7,547		205,181
			$	351,726		332,922		328,607		356,041
Year Ended December 29, 2012
Reserves not deducted from assets:
Self-insurance reserves:
Current			$	125,569		306,788		293,359		138,998
Noncurrent			219,660			—		6,932		212,728
			$	345,229		306,788		300,291		351,726