ALDI to Acquire Winn-Dixie – No Stores to Close, Some Will Convert

Changes may be in the works for the Tuscaloosa area's Winn-Dixie supermarkets after the German supermarket chain ALDI announced plans to acquire the brand and determine which, if any, should be converted to their unique store format.

ALDI said Wednesday that they will acquire both Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket in a definitive deal expected to close next year.

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The two grocery brands operate around 400 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, all of which are included in the acqusition.

Jason Hart, ALDI's CEO, said WinniDixie's parent company, Southeastern Grocers, was undertaking a large-scale divestiture and sold both brands as part of that broader effort.

“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.”

Not every store will be converted into an ALDI, Hart said, and that decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

“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,” added Hart. “For those stores, we do not convert, our intention is that these continue to operate as Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores.”

For updates on how the acquisition will affect our regional stores here in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.