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Aldi is buying Winn-Dixie — and that will mean some changes for customers.
The discount grocery chain Aldi, with a growing presence in South Mississippi and the New Orleans metro, announced Wednesday that it plans to acquire the more traditional Winn-Dixie and its larger supermarkets from Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers.
In the deal, Aldi also is acquiring Harveys, another Southeastern chain with stores in Florida. The deal is expected to close in early 2024.
But how will this affect you, the shopper?
You have questions. We have some answers.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO WINN-DIXIE STORES?
Winn-Dixie has had a familiar red and white storefront design and logo for decades. The Germany-based Aldi said it would keep the Winn-Dixie name on about 400 Winn Dixie and Harveys supermarkets that it’s buying in Florida, with an unspecified number facing conversion. Most Winn-Dixie supermarkets, about 75%, are in Florida, with others in Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The Mississippi Coast has stores in Long Beach, Gulfport, D’Iberville, Ocean Springs and Picayune.
WILL WINN-DIXIE STORES BECOME ALDI STORES?
Some Winn-Dixie locations will be transformed into Aldi stores, according to the company.
“We are evaluating which locations will convert to the Aldi format to better support the neighborhoods we’ll now have the privilege of serving,” CEO Jason Hart said in a statement to the Miami Herald. “For those stores we do not convert, our intention is that these continue to operate as Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores.”
Hart told CNN a “significant amount” of Winn-Dixie stores will convert to the Aldi format.
That could mean a different product mix or design for Aldi. The stores are sized differently. Aldi stores average around 22,000 square feet. Winn-Dixie’s stores are much larger, averaging around 48,000 square feet, according to industry newsletter Grocery Dive. Aldi has several options, including subleasing space inside converted Winn-Dixie stores.
WILL YOUR GROCERIES BE BAGGED AT THE REGISTER?
One way Aldi cuts costs is bagging. Or rather, not bagging. You do it yourself at Aldi and also pay a deposit to use a shopping cart. At converted Winn-Dixie stores in 2024, expect the Aldi experience. The company hasn’t said what will happen at stores operating under the Winn-Dixie banner in 2024 and beyond.
WILL YOUR WINN-DIXIE LOYALTY CARD STILL WORK?
Winn-Dixie rewards, like the loyalty cards that allow customers to swipe at registers for buy-one-get-one offers, or its points system on the app that can yield free grocery items, will still work. For now.
But what about loyalty cards still working at Winn-Dixie in 2024? An Aldi spokesperson said in email responses to Miami Herald questions about the transition: “Aldi and Southeastern Grocers will continue to operate independently until the transaction closes. We will share more information as it becomes available following the finalization of the transaction, which we expect to be in the first half of 2024.”
WHAT HAPPENS TO WINN-DIXIE BRANDS?
Will Aldi add or swap in its private label products to surviving Winn-Dixie stores?
“Aldi and Southeastern Grocers will continue to operate independently until the transaction closes,” Aldi’s spokesperson said. After the transition in 2024, expect Aldi products in the converted Winn-Dixie locations.
WHEN WILL MISSISSIPPI & LOUISIANA CUSTOMERS NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE?
According to Aldi’s spokesperson, “We will share more information as it becomes available following the finalization of the transaction, which we expect to be in the first half of 2024.”
Anthony Hucker, CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said in a statement that its “transformational journey” with Winn-Dixie has led to an opportunity for Aldi to add Winn-Dixie to its portfolio. He said Southeastern and Aldi share a customer value commitment and have similar operating visions.
WHAT DOES SOUTHEASTERN GROCERS HAVE TO SAY?
Winn-Dixie’s predecessor established its headquarters in Jacksonville in 1944 and began operating under the Winn-Dixie name in 1955, Jacksonville Daily Record reported. In 2012, Winn-Dixie became a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers and kept its Jacksonville base. On Wednesday, Meredith Hurley, Southeastern Grocers’ senior director of communications, told the Miami Herald in a statement:
“We understand this news surely raises questions, however we cannot comment or speculate on any forward-looking strategies or initiatives at this time. For customers, nothing changes today,” Hurley said. “Southeastern Grocers will continue to offer customers the same great savings, benefits and programs to deliver an excellent shopping experience and value for our customers as we remain committed to conducting business as usual until closing,” she said. “More information will be shared on future plans as it’s available.”
Sun Herald reporter Justin Mitchell contributed to this report.
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