With all of the challenges facing the grocery industry in 2015 - increased competition, specialty stores, demand for higher quality items - the leadership of Publix Super Markets Inc. says it's more important than ever to focus on customer relations in every realm to build loyalty. CEO Ed Crenshaw told attendees at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Miami Beach on Monday that Publix is focused on quickly reacting to consumers' changing needs in order to turn those customers into advocates, according to industry trade pub Supermarket News .