17 Overpriced Publix Items That Aren’t Worth It for Floridians

Imagine it: The scent of buttercream icing from the bakery. The sound of polite greetings at the checkout. The soft lighting that makes you feel calmer on a stressful day.

Publix has mastered the art of turning Florida grocery shopping into something warm and familiar.

But for all the coziness, there’s one part that feels colder: The price tag.

Loyal shoppers have started realizing that not everything in those carefully stocked aisles is worth the cost.

And while they still love the experience, they’re beginning to look a little closer at what’s actually going into their carts… and their wallets.

Pre-Sliced Cheese

Walk through Publix’s deli section, and you’ll see rows of neatly packaged cheese slices. They’re great for sandwiches and charcuterie boards.

But they’re not necessarily great for your wallet.

Pre-sliced cheese at Publix is usually several dollars more per pound than the same cheese bought in a block.

In many cases, you’re paying for plastic packaging and pre-cutting, not for better flavor or quality.

If you’re a fan of real savings, consider buying blocks of cheese and slicing or shredding at home. It takes a couple of extra minutes, but the cost difference adds up fast over time.

Greeting Cards

Publix has a decent greeting card aisle filled with all the usual suspects—Hallmark, American Greetings, and seasonal selections.

But if you’ve ever picked one up and flipped it over, you’ve probably done a double-take.

Cards at Publix routinely cost $5 to $8, and many of them are fairly generic. With prices like that, it’s hard to justify buying a card unless you’re in a major pinch.

We can only assume such pinches are what Publix relies on to sell its greeting cards.

In comparison, stores like Dollar Tree and even Walmart often offer perfectly good cards for $1.25 or less.

And if you plan ahead, you can buy boxed sets for pennies on the dollar.

Bottled Water Multipacks

Publix usually carries all the major water brands: Dasani, Aquafina, Smartwater, and a few spring water options.

But unless they’re on a deep discount, you’ll often find yourself paying a few dollars more for the same packs sold at several other more budget-oriented stores.

In particular, cases of 24 or more bottles tend to be significantly cheaper at big-box retailers or warehouse clubs like Costco.

Even drugstores sometimes offer better deals during promotions.

Water is water. Unless you’re loyal to a specific mineral content or brand, this is one of the easiest swaps to make for your finances.

Name-Brand Cereal

Publix always stocks the big-name cereals: Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms—you name it. The problem?

The prices are often higher than what you’d find at places like Walmart or sometimes even Target.

A regular-sized box of name-brand cereal can run close to $6 at Publix, while other stores often sell them for cheaper. Unless you’re catching cereal during a BOGO week, you’re likely overpaying at Publix.

The good news?

Publix’s own brand of cereal is often stocked right beside the big brands and offers nearly identical taste at a far lower cost. For families buying multiple boxes a week, this one swap can make a big dent in their grocery total.

Fresh-Cut Fruit Containers

Those neatly packaged containers of watermelon cubes and pineapple chunks at Publix look tempting, especially on a hot day when you’re craving something fresh and easy.

But you’re paying a serious premium for convenience.

At Publix, a small fruit cup can cost $4 or more, sometimes for less than a cup’s worth of produce.

Compare that to buying a whole melon or pineapple, which can stretch over multiple meals for the same price or less.

To be fair, this isn’t a Publix problem; it’s a pre-cut fruit problem. That said, you’ll be hard-pressed to find Winn-Dixie or Walmart’s prepared fruit prices more expensive.

Yes, chopping fruit is a bit of work.

But when you’re paying three or four times more just to skip the knife, it’s hard to justify the markup.

Organic Produce

Publix has made huge strides in offering more organic produce under its GreenWise brand and through partnerships with premium suppliers.

But those items often come with sky-high price tags that, for some people, can be hard to justify.

Organic strawberries or salad mixes, for example, can cost $2–$3 more at Publix than at stores like ALDI or Trader Joe’s.

And while some items are comparable in freshness, others spoil quickly, making the higher price even more frustrating.

If you’re trying to eat clean on a budget, organic produce might be something to save for a farmers market or a more affordable chain grocery store.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Publix pharmacies are convenient, especially if you’re already doing your shopping.

However, the prices on over-the-counter medications can be startling.

A small bottle of ibuprofen, allergy relief, or heartburn tablets can be several dollars more than identical store-brand options at, say, Walmart.

Even within the store, Publix’s own brand tends to be more expensive than national generics elsewhere.

If you don’t need a prescription filled at the same time, you might be better off grabbing these essentials elsewhere and saving your Publix cart for food (minus the food on this list!).

Frozen Appetizers

Whether it’s mozzarella sticks, spring rolls, or chicken wings, the freezer section at Publix is packed with finger foods that look perfect for parties.

But most of them come with a hefty price tag.

Popular brands like TGI Fridays or Annie Chun’s can cost up to $8 for a small portion. And the serving sizes are underwhelming, to say the least.

You could easily double your portions for the same price at wholesale stores, or make a batch from scratch for even less.

Unless you’re grabbing frozen appetizers during a BOGO deal, they’re rarely a smart buy at Publix.

Cleaning Supplies

You’ll find all the usual cleaning brands at Publix—Lysol, Windex, Clorox, and more. The kicker?

They often come with elevated price tags compared to certain other retailers.

Even Publix’s store-brand cleaning products are sometimes pricier than generics elsewhere.

What’s more, Publix sometimes offers fewer coupons or multi-buy discounts for household supplies compared to certain big-box stores.

If you’re buying for a large household, the difference in cost adds up quickly.

These aren’t impulse buys for most people. So, stocking up on your cleaning supplies at a different store is probably financially smarter.

Ice Cream

This one hurts a little.

Publix is famous for its premium and GreenWise organic ice cream flavors. And for good reason, if you ask us; they’re all delicious.

But the price per pint or half-gallon is often higher than what you can get for different brands at other stores.

Unless you’re a die-hard fan of a specific Publix Premium or GreenWise flavor, consider shopping around or waiting for a BOGO week.

Otherwise, you’re paying boutique prices for a freezer staple.

Nuts and Trail Mix

Whether it’s almonds, cashews, or mixed blends, nuts are on the expensive side at any grocery store.

But at Publix, those little tubs of trail mix or spiced pecans can sting your grocery bill extra hard.

Prepackaged blends under the GreenWise label or from national brands can cost upwards of $10 for less than a pound. Even bulk-bin options, when available, aren’t much better.

Unless you catch a sale, you’re usually better off grabbing nuts and trail mix from a wholesale store or assembling your own mix at home.

Pet Food

Pet owners want the best for their furry friends, but buying pet food at Publix may not be the wisest financial decision.

A small bag of name-brand dog or cat food can cost significantly more than at pet-specific retailers or Walmart.

Wet food and treats are marked up, too. Especially the trendy or “organic” varieties.

It’s convenient to throw it in your cart (and Fido will undoubtedly love you for it). But those small purchases add up fast.

If you’re feeding more than one pet, you’ll see the cost difference quickly. Online auto-ship services and bulk-oriented stores almost always offer better prices.

Cooking Oil

Cooking oils, especially olive oil and avocado oil, are pricey at nearly every store. But Publix tends to sell them at an even more noticeable markup.

A standard bottle of extra virgin olive oil can cost several dollars more than the same bottle at places like Costco or Sam’s Club. And its store-brand options don’t always bridge the gap in price.

It’s one of those ingredients where buying in bulk or during a Publix sale makes more sense.

The shelf life is long enough that stocking up when it makes financial sense is usually a smarter bet.

Salad Dressing

The salad dressing aisle at Publix is well-stocked with all the classics—Ranch, Italian, Balsamic, and more.

Unfortunately, the prices often feel higher than they should be.

Whether you’re buying a glass bottle of premium dressing or a plastic squeeze bottle of a national brand, you’re likely paying more than you would at another supermarket.

And with so many recipes available online, you could make your own at home for a fraction of the cost.

Salad dressing is one of those sneaky categories where grabbing the bottle without checking the price tag might leave you wondering why your receipt total is so high.

Plastic Storage Bags and Foil

Publix’s house-brand plastic bags and aluminum foil work just fine, but they’re often more expensive than major brands at other stores.

A single box of quart-size storage bags can cost nearly $5 at Publix, while name brands elsewhere frequently go on sale for $3 or less.

And aluminum foil? Same story.

Since these are basic household supplies, the savings from buying in bulk or during promotions somewhere else can really add up over the course of a year.

Baby Products

Diapers, wipes, baby formula—these are all non-negotiables for parents. But the prices at Publix can make bringing a new life into the world even more expensive.

Even when using store-brand versions, many baby items are cheaper at Walmart, Target, or specialty retailers.

And formula especially tends to be priced higher than at stores with wider brand selections.

For parents shopping on a budget, sticking to big-box stores or subscribing to delivery services will likely save them more money over the course of a year.

Spices

It’s easy to toss a jar of cinnamon or chili powder into your cart at Publix.

But once you check the price, you’ll probably raise an eyebrow.

A tiny bottle of name-brand spices can run anywhere from $5 to $9, depending on the type.