News Summary
Southeastern Grocers LLC has announced a significant rebranding effort to transition into The Winn-Dixie Company by early 2026. This initiative aligns with the company’s upcoming centennial and will focus on operations in Florida. SEG plans to divest from non-Florida locations, including stores in several states, while also acquiring Hitchcock’s Markets in Florida for rebranding. The company’s headquarters will relocate, and it aims to modernize its operations while supporting affected employees.
Jacksonville, Florida – Southeastern Grocers LLC (SEG), the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets, has announced a major rebranding initiative that will see it transform into The Winn-Dixie Company by early 2026. This transition is set to coincide with the company’s 100th anniversary and represents a strategic move to refocus operations primarily within the state of Florida.
As a central part of its transformation, SEG plans to divest most stores located outside Florida, including 32 Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys Supermarkets in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Although precise numbers regarding store closures and sales have not been revealed, SEG anticipates that all store closures will be finalized by the end of 2025.
In this restructuring, two Winn-Dixie locations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are scheduled to transition to Super 1 Foods stores in November. Additionally, stores in Fultondale, Jasper, and Trussville, Alabama, will become Food City stores. However, SEG will continue to operate five stores in southern Georgia, which include branches in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island, and Valdosta, aiming to maintain a presence in the region.
Upon completion of the divestitures, The Winn-Dixie Company is projected to operate around 130 conventional grocery stores, along with 140 freestanding and grocery-adjacent liquor stores. In an effort to expand its footprint in Florida, SEG has also entered into an agreement to acquire Hitchcock’s Markets in Alachua, Keystone Heights, and Williston, Florida. These stores will be rebranded under the Winn-Dixie banner, with the new location in Williston expected to open by early December 2025, and the Alachua and Keystone Heights locations targeted for summer 2026.
SEG is committed to supporting employees impacted by the transition, especially those outside Florida and Georgia. To accommodate the evolving marketplace and enhance the customer experience, the company has announced plans for numerous store remodels and new projects. SEG also aims to grow its liquor store portfolio and increase its Own Brand product assortment, including a much-anticipated revival of its iconic Lip Lickin’ Chicken in early 2026.
This announcement follows a series of significant business transitions for SEG, including the sale of 400 stores to Aldi in March 2024 and a subsequent acquisition by private investors led by CEO Anthony Hucker in 2025. As part of these changes, the company’s headquarters will move from Baymeadows to the Edgewood Support Center in West Jacksonville.
CEO Anthony Hucker has expressed gratitude for the support received from associates and customers in the regions the company is exiting. He has highlighted the importance of honoring the legacy and history of the brand while simultaneously modernizing operations to better serve customers moving forward.
This rebranding effort underscores SEG’s commitment to establishing a more focused operational strategy while retaining its roots in Florida, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s history as it looks towards the future.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News
- WCJB
- Business Wire
- Wikipedia: Winn-Dixie
- Grocery Dive
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grocery Store
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