Winn-Dixie to close all grocery stores across Alabama as part of rebranding

JACKSONVILLE, Fl. (WRBL) — Southeastern Grocers (SEG), the company responsible for grocery store Winn-Dixie, has announced it will close several stores in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana by the end of the year.

As a part of a company refocusing, SEG says it will “transition ownership of most of its locations outside of Florida.”

“For a century, Winn-Dixie has proudly called Florida home,” said Chairman and CEO of SEG Anthony Hucker. “As we enter our next century as The Winn-Dixie Company – a brand-new 100-year-old company – we are accelerating growth where our roots run deepest while staying true to our purpose of feeding and enriching the communities, families and neighbors who have supported us for generations.”

According to a news release from SEG, the company has reached agreements or is advancing plans with multiple grocers, which include 32 Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys Supermarkets, in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

There are currently 20 Winn-Dixie grocery stores across Alabama.

A staple of Southern life, Winn-Dixie operated many more stores across the southeast over the years, even serving as the inspiration of the 2000 children’s book “Because of Winn-Dixie” about a dog named after the chain. The book was later turned into a film.

The company says stores in South Georgia (Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island and Valdosta) will remain open and likely undergo planned remodels. The grocer will also expand its liquor store portfolio and pilot new third-party delivery and return kiosks.