ALDI Buys Winn-Dixies; What Changes Are In Store For Gramercy Location Remain Unknown

Last Wednesday, it was publicly announced that German grocery store company ALDI has entered into an agreement to acquire all Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets located throughout the southeast region of the U.S.

In a press release issued by ALDI, the company states the acquisition is part of a larger divestiture of Southeastern Grocers to various entities.

“The acquisition continues the growth of ALDI, expanding its ability to serve the region with great products at the lowest possible prices,” the press release says.

“Like ALDI, Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket have long histories and many loyal customers in the Southeast and we look forward to serving them in the years to come,” said Jason Hart, CEO, ALDI. “The time was right to build on our growth momentum and help residents in the Southeast save on their grocery bills. The transaction supports our long-term growth strategy across the United States, including plans to add 120 new stores nationwide this year to reach a total of more than 2,400 stores by year-end.”

Currently there are eight ALDI stores open in Louisiana and three additional stores opening in the next two months. The closest stores to St. James Parish are LaPlace, Thibodaux, Metairie and Baton Rouge.

According to the release, the Southeast-focused acquisition includes approximately 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations across Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.

ALDI first established its presence in the Southeast in the mid-1990s and since has invested $2.5 billion in the region. Most recently, ALDI deepened its roots in the region, opening its 26th regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Alabama to help support new stores, with plans to open 20 new ALDI locations in the area by the end of the year.

Southeastern Grocers established its presence in the region nearly a century ago. From the beginning, its commitments to the customer, caring associates and quality products have made a profound impact in the Southeast.

So, what does this mean for our local Winn-Dixie in Gramercy?

Well, at this time there has not been a lot of information made public concerning the store’s future and what changes will be made, although there have been numerous reports confirming that pharmacies located inside the Winn-Dixie stores will be shuttered in the future. Meredith Hurley, Senior Director of Communications and Community for Southeastern Grocers, issued the following statement concerning the pharmacies: “Prior to the closing of the proposed merger agreements recently announced, Southeastern Grocers has entered into agreements to transfer prescription files to certain CVS and Walgreens Pharmacies. These agreements will help ensure that our pharmacy customers continue to have access to pharmacy services without interruption. We anticipate that the transfer of these pharmacy files will be completed by the end of 2023.

While we do not have a definitive date at this time, we can assure you that nothing changes today. We remain committed to protecting the health and wellness of our customers and communities until the transactions are finalized, and our pharmacy customers will be provided sufficient advance notice prior to the transfer. We are working closely with CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens to ensure that our customers’ prescriptions are handled carefully and confidentially and that there won’t be any delay in service.

CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens locations offer a convenient alternative for our customers. While we can’t speak for them, they have both shared that they know the quality of our team, and they have expressed a desire to interview our talented and passionate pharmacy associates.

It is also unclear at this time whether ALDI will convert the Gramercy store to an ALDI store or continue to run it as a Winn-Dixie.

In the press release, ALDI CEO Jason Hart said, “ALDI will operate Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores with the same level of care and focus on quality and service, as we also evaluate which locations will convert to the ALDI format to better support the neighborhoods we’ll now have the privilege of serving. For those stores we do not convert, our intention is that these continue to operate as Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores.”

Senior Director of Communications and Community for Southeastern Grocers Meredith Hurley reiterated what Hart said in her statement that, “We understand that ALDI does not intend to convert all of our stores. ALDI’s current plan is to continue operating Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores with the same level of care and focus on quality and service as they also evaluate which locations will convert to the ALDI format to better support the neighborhoods they will now serve. ALDI will share more information as it becomes available.

About ALDI

ALDI is one of America’s fastest-growing retailers, serving millions of customers across the country each month. Our disciplined approach to operating with simplicity and efficiency gives our customers great products at the lowest possible prices.

For six years running, ALDI has been recognized as No. 1 in price according to the dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index Report.* ALDI strives to have a positive impact on its customers, employees and communities by being socially and environmentally responsible, earning ALDI recognition as a leading grocer in sustainability**.

In addition to helping protect the planet, ALDI helps customers save time and money through convenient shopping options via in-store, curbside pickup or delivery at shop.aldi.us. For more information about ALDI, visit aldi.us.

About Southeastern Grocers Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is an omnichannel retailer and supermarket company in the U.S., serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies as well as online with convenient grocery delivery and curbside pickup throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and a strong commitment to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www. frescoymas. com, www. harveyssupermarkets. com and www.winndixie.

com.