Aldi to Acquire Winn-Dixie, Harveys Stores from Southeastern Grocers

Aldi has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire hundreds of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores as part of a larger divestiture from Southeastern Grocers to various entities.

The deal hands over 400 stores located throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi to the Essen, Germany-based discount grocer as it continues its growth plans, particularly in the Southeast region.

"The time was right to build on our growth momentum and help residents in the Southeast save on their grocery bills,” Jason Hart, CEO, Aldi, said in a news release, adding that the transaction supports our long-term growth strategy across the U.S."

That growth strategy, Hart says, includes plans to add 120 new stores in 2023 to reach a total of more than 2,400 U.S. stores by the end of the year.

Aldi is also evaluating which locations it will convert to the Aldi format, and which will continue to operate under the Winn-Dixie and Harveys banners.

Aldi says it first entered the Southeast in the mid-1990s and has since invested $2.5 billion in the region. Most recently, Aldi opened its 26th regional headquarters and distribution center (located in Loxley, Alabama) to help support new stores across the Gulf Coast region, 20 of which are slated to open by the end of the year.

"Aldi shares our vision to provide exceptional quality, service and value — and this unique opportunity will evolve our business to benefit our customers, associates and neighbors throughout the Southeast," Anthony Hucker, president and CEO, Southeastern Grocers, said in the release.

Southeastern Grocers established its presence in the region nearly a century ago, though has struggled maintaining its footing in the region in recent years. The Florida-based retailer declared bankruptcy in March 2018 and completed a restructuring two months later after closing nearly 100 stores. The company planned to go public in 2014 then again in 2021, both times that fell through.

Southeastern Grocers also dissolved the Bi-Lo banner entirely in 2021 by selling the stores, mostly to Ahold Delhaize's Food Lion.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, but the company says the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2024.