Publix Sued Over Alleged Checkout Price Inflation in Florida
Publix is facing a lawsuit over allegations that its self-checkout weight scales are inflating prices by inaccurately measuring meats, cheeses, and deli items. The lawsuit also claims that advertised sale prices are manipulated at checkout, leading to overcharges, according to a recent article by C.A Bridges of Naples Daily News.
Florida resident Wendy Koutouzis filed a class-action lawsuit in a Miami federal court, asserting that she discovered deceptive practices at five Publix stores in the Tampa area. She provided receipts and photos as evidence.
The lawsuit alleges that Publix intentionally overcharges customers using its self-checkout scales. Specifically, when an item is on sale, instead of applying the reduced price based on its actual weight, Publix’s checkout system increases the recorded weight, negating the discount.
One example cited in the case occurred in January 2025 at a Publix store on N. Nebraska Ave. Extra Lean Pork Tenderloin was advertised at $4.99 per pound, down from $6.99. Koutouzis purchased a package weighing 2.83 pounds, expecting to pay $14.12. However, the lawsuit claims the self-checkout system inflated the weight to 3.96 pounds, charging her the original price of $19.78–an overcharge of 40%.
According to the lawsuit, most customers don’t notice the discrepancy because the system ensures the final price matches what is displayed on the screen or receipt without listing the actual weight of the item.
The legal complaint includes photos of receipts, products being weighed at different store locations, and discrepancies at self-checkout. Additional examples mention a chicken package weighing 4.15 pounds at the deli but registering as 4.98 pounds at checkout, as well as issues with weighing cheese, Kentucky Legend Turkey Breast, and Hormel Ham. In one instance, Koutouzis used a produce scale to confirm the correct weight of an item before checking out.
The lawsuit seeks damages not only for Koutouzis but for all Publix customers who may have been similarly overcharged. Publix, headquartered in Lakeland and operating nearly 1,400 stores across eight states, has not yet responded to the allegations.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News