Publix Switches from Paper to Plastic: Gift Cards that is

Publix Super Markets has replaced its paper gift certificates with plastic, reloadable gift cards.

The cards can be reloaded in values from $5 to $500 and have no expiration date.

"Gift cards are more accessible to customers than the paper gift certificates because they have no value until activated by a cashier," said a Publix spokesperson in a statement."

With the introduction of the new Publix plastic gift cards, the supermarket chain has begun carrying non-competing gift cards in predetermined amounts from such retailers as Blockbuster, Foot Locker, Home Depot and Toys R Us.