September 20, 2025

Winn-Dixie Celebrates 100 Years in Business

News Summary

Winn-Dixie marks its centennial anniversary, celebrating its rich history and commitment to customer service despite recent changes. The beloved grocery chain, based in Jacksonville, has seen significant transitions, including a sale to Aldi and the establishment of new community initiatives. With a focus on personalized service and local partnerships, Winn-Dixie aims to enhance customer experiences while addressing industry challenges through strategic investments.

Jacksonville, Florida – Winn-Dixie Celebrates 100 Years in Business

Winn-Dixie is marking its 100th anniversary this year, a milestone that emphasizes the beloved grocery chain’s historical significance and commitment to its customers, despite recent changes within the company. The retail giant was founded by W.M. Davis in 1925 in Miami, Florida, with assistance from his brother Carl, after Davis relocated from Idaho due to financial challenges from a recession.

In 1944, the company moved its headquarters to Jacksonville and expanded its footprint across the Southeastern United States, growing to operate over 1,100 stores by 2001 in five Southern states and the Bahamas. However, the chain encountered financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy in 2005, leading to closures of hundreds of stores.

In 2012, Southeastern Grocers was formed to stabilize, rebuild, and operate the Winn-Dixie brand. Fast forward to March 2024, Winn-Dixie underwent another significant transition when it was sold to Aldi, the German grocery company. Following that, on February 7, 2025, a consortium of private investors, led by CEO Anthony Hucker, acquired about 170 Winn-Dixie stores from Southeastern Grocers. The acquisition included locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, as well as the liquor store business.

Southeastern Grocers emphasized that this acquisition aimed to reflect a belief in the potential and heritage of Winn-Dixie. However, Aldi plans to convert approximately 220 Southeastern Grocers locations to its brand by 2027, leading to uncertainty among customers regarding the future of Winn-Dixie.

Amid these transitions, the regional vice president of Southeastern Grocers highlighted that Winn-Dixie is committed to remaining in the market and is focused on building for the future. Key investments will enhance the brand by prioritizing personal service, such as retaining in-store bakers and meat-cutters, even as many competitors cut back on these roles.

Winn-Dixie is also investing in employee development initiatives, offering scholarships, GED programs, and summer internships to support its workforce. Although large chains often benefit from costs savings due to size, Winn-Dixie’s more agile business model allows quick decision-making that can better serve community needs.

As technology reshapes the grocery industry, including advancements such as robotics and artificial intelligence, Winn-Dixie maintains the importance of human connections in customer service. The chain aims to integrate technology with personalized customer interactions, offering custom meat cuts and cakes tailored to individual preferences.

The grocery market remains competitive, facing challenges from e-commerce players, big-box retailers, and changing consumer habits. In response, Winn-Dixie is addressing these challenges by making targeted investments based on customer feedback and adapting stores to reflect local needs and cultural differences.

Several stores in Florida are receiving updates; for instance, the St. Cloud location is set to reopen by the end of the year after renovations. Furthermore, three Winn-Dixie stores in Jacksonville have been designated as Blue Zones Project-approved supermarkets, reflecting a commitment to community health. The Blue Zones initiative encourages healthy living, prompting the grocery chain to offer healthier options at checkout and to implement promotions for nutritious choices.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary and Blue Zones designation, Winn-Dixie is planning community events at three Jacksonville stores on September 24, which will feature food tastings and donations to local schools. Additionally, Southeastern Grocers is actively exploring new site opportunities for future expansions to further entrench Winn-Dixie’s legacy as a key player in the Southeastern grocery landscape.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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