| (1907
- 1996) |
| Inducted: |
2009 |
| Region: |
U.S. |
| Industry: |
Retail
|
|
George W. Jenkins was an innovator in grocery retailing and a benefactor of many civic, educational and charitable organizations. The philosophies "Mr. George" lived by and instilled in the hearts of Publix people are still true today.
Born in Warm Springs, Georgia, in 1907, Jenkins began his career at his father's general store and moved on to the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain. He started his supermarket empire in 1930, opening his first store in Florida with $1,300 he had saved to buy a car.
In 1944, he purchased a chain of 19 small grocery stores and in 1948 began replacing these with "supermarkets." He revolutionized the industry with new design elements, such as automatic doors, air conditioning, fluorescent lighting, frozen-food cases, and 11,000 square feet of selling area. In 1977, he introduced electronic price scanners and, in 1982, automated teller machines (ATMs).
Jenkins served on the board of the Super Market Institute, including two years as president, and was vice president of the National Association of Food Chains and president of the National Association of Food Research.
He also served on bank boards of directors and advisory boards, received several honorary doctorates, and worked with numerous charities. He was especially proud of the George W. Jenkins Foundation, established in 1966, now known as Publix Super Market Charities. |
