I already have the pilgrims and the snowmen salt and pepper shakers. Let me know if they ever come out with anything else!

I also have to express my love for Publix. In addition to having the distribution center here in town, I can name 12 Publix stores within 10 minutes of my house (one of which is less than 60 seconds from my house). Not only that, but there are 2 more being built within this 10 minute radius. I think it is safe to say that Jacksonville is madly in love with Publix. :D

There has to be somewhere around 20 stores in this city.

C-TOOOOWN!

Here in the UK, very very few stores have baggers. Even Tesco, one of the largest grocery chains, has no baggers. You're expected to bag your own, which is grand because I HATE THOSE BAGS! I really prefer to use my backpack/panniers for my bike because it is easier to carry. They've got this drive on to have people buy these heavy-duty bags for like 10p and reuse them...I own a few, and they make carrying the heavy stuff (soda pop, potatos, etc) easier.

I only get ticked off when the cashier starts ringing the next person's crap up while you're still bagging. I've lost many a newspaper and a loaf of bread that way.

Never been to a store that takes stuff out of the cart... but Safeway here in CA always offers to give you help out to your car, and if they DO help, they refuse a tip.

I've been to stores where you drive your cart up to a little dock-like place and the checker does the rest. I can't remember where, though.

We have a Safeway within walking distance of our home, and they always ask if we need help getting our stuff to the car. I've never taken them up on it, but doubt that they would accept a tip.

Our Safeway offers to take stuff out for us. I have used it once when I had all 3 kids with me and 2 were cranky. It just meant that all my bread got squashed in my truck cause they put other stuff on top of it.

Just order it online and have it delivered to you. Then you dont deal with gross houston people.

-Rudey

BTW, they won't accept tips because they are not allowed to. I've worked many retail jobs and can tell you that is one thing that is stressed during orientation and training is that you are NOT allowed to accept tips for anything.

I shop at Kroger and they usually take the stuff out of your cart, and they'll usually bag it but honestly I try to make it easier for them by bagging it myself.

I've never been to a supermarket where they take your bags out to your car (unless you're elderly or handicapped and specifically ask them to carry your bags). As far as the self check-out, I like it. There's usually no one using them, and I can get through pretty fast (because I can actually follow the instructions and am not TOTALLY technically challenged).

The Harris Teeter in West Ashely closed about three years ago. I guess the traffic on 61/Sam Ritterburg got to be way too much and people had a hard time getting in and out. It's where Total Wines is now.

Publix is building two more stores: One on 17 (in what we call Red Top in WA) and one in Mt. Pleasant (like they need another grocery store). I can't wait for them to build the one on 17 so we don't have to go all the way to Sam Ritterburg. I heart Publix too.:)

The baggers at my grocery store accept tips. In fact, they have a tip jar at the bottom of the grocery chute area. Of course, the delivery boys take tips as well. I think the "no tips" policy might be more applicable to major chains instead of local stores.

Who can tell me about Whole Foods Market, please? There is one that is going to open here in Birmingham, Al. Just wondering what it is like.
In the mean time, Publix has opened at least 5 stores in the area with in the past couple of years. I love Publix because they have nice produce, fish, meats.... all very fresh and a good selection too.

I usually shop at the commissary and they have someone bag the groceries, load the cart, push the cart to your car and load your car. I always help load the car, though, because I would feel bad just standing around doing nothing while someone loads my groceries.

As I think back, as a kid, I remember the baggers loading the bags on different kinds of carts and always taking the out to the car.

As I said above, they offer here -- but I've seen very few people take them up on it.

Still being in good health, I'd feel like an idiot allowing some kid to load my car.