Publix Removes 10-Item Limit From Express Checkout Lanes

Publix Super Markets is eliminating the long-standing 10-item limit for its express checkout lanes to improve efficiency and reduce customer wait times. The company is replacing specific item-limit signage with signs that simply read express, providing store associates with greater flexibility to manage customer flow based on the speed of the order rather than a strict count.

The decision follows findings that traditional item-limited lanes do not consistently create a faster system. The change was first piloted in the company's Miami division before beginning a companywide rollout. While some stores have already implemented the new process, others are expected to complete the transition by fall 2026.

Customer reactions to the policy shift are mixed. Some shoppers argue that removing the limit effectively turns express lanes into regular checkout lanes, while others believe the focus should remain on the speed of the transaction. Publix has not specified how it will handle shoppers with large numbers of items who choose to use these lanes.