This year has not been a great one for grocery stores, with chains like Kroger and Safeway closing locations in recent months.
Now, the Southeastern grocery chain Winn-Dixie appears to be following in their footsteps, with its parent company planning to sell or possibly shutter 32 Winn-Dixie stores by the end of 2025 as its focus shifts to its home state of Florida.
It will also transition or close eight Harveys Supermarket locations. The 40 stores impacted span Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Southeastern Grocers (SEG), the Jacksonville, Florida-based company that owns both chains, posted a list of stores that it will transition, with some identifying new operators such as Piggly Wiggly and Super 1 Foods, and others marked “pending.”
It’s unclear which if any of the pending stores will close versus transition to new ownership. Reached for comment by Fast Company, SEG reiterated that it has “reached agreements or is advancing plans with multiple grocers.” It said store closures are expected by the end of the year, but did not elaborate.
The company further noted that southern Georgia will maintain stores in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island, and Valdosta. SEG expects the full transitions will be completed by early 2026.
A new name for a new era
SEG announced the transition and closures alongside news that it will rebrand as the Winn-Dixie Company. The new name will roll out by early 2026.
“The change honors Winn-Dixie’s century-long legacy while positioning the grocer for growth through investments designed to modernize stores, enrich the customer experience and reimagine the neighborhood grocer for the next 100 years,” the soon to be Winn-Dixie Company stated in the release.
The company is also expanding, despite the divestitures. It’s acquiring Hitchcock’s Markets in three Florida cities: Alachua, Keystone Heights, and Williston. Each will become a Winn-Dixie, with the Williston location expected to open by the end of the year and the former two grocers slated for summer 2026.
These new stores and transitions will leave the company with about 130 grocery stores and 140 freestanding liquor stores.
Southeastern Grocers is also moving forward with “dozens” of remodels, while growing its liquor store portfolio and own product offerings. Plus, it will be piloting tools such as third-party delivery and return kiosks.