Aldi sells Winn-Dixie, Harveys stores to private investor group
A consortium of private investors has acquired Southeastern Grocers (SEG) and its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners from Aldi U.S.
Details of the transaction were not disclosed. In August 2023, Aldi entered into an agreement to purchase Southeastern Grocers. According to various reports, the discount grocer has been working for weeks to divest some of the nearly 400 Winn-Dixie locations it acquired in the deal, which was completed last year.
The agreement includes the acquisition of SEG grocery and liquor stores operating under the Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners. This includes approximately 170 grocery stores in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida, as well as the existing Winn-Dixie liquor store business.
Aldi intends to complete its previously stated plans to convert a total of approximately 220 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores to be converted to the Aldi banner over a multi-year process that began in March 2024. The conversion is expected to conclude in 2027.
The private investor group was spearheaded by the current CEO and president of SEG, Anthony Hucker, and C&S Wholesale Grocers. Hucker will serve as chairman, CEO and president. The consortium will immediately assume day-to-day operations of Winn-Dixie grocery and liquor stores and Harveys Supermarkets.
“We are profoundly grateful and deeply honored to continue serving the communities we cherish,” said Hucker. “As we reinvest in the store fleet, we are inspired by listening loudly to the voices of our customers, to elevate and revolutionize our customer experience and store offerings, so that each step we take will reflect our dedication to our people and our communities.”
Aldi and SEG leadership will continue to work together closely to “ensure a smooth transition, with dedicated leaders overseeing the store conversion and hiring process,” the company stated.
“SEG will continue to operate the remaining stores identified for conversion in the normal course of business, with the same level of care and focus on quality and service, up to and until each respective store is closed for conversion,” the statement read.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC served as financial advisor to the consortium. Foley & Lardner LLP and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as legal counsel.
