Southeastern Grocers LLC, the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket, is set to rebrand as The Winn-Dixie Company in early 2026 as it sharpens its focus on its home state of Florida.
The move will mark a strategic reset for the regional grocer, which describes itself as becoming a “brand-new 100-year-old company.”
As part of the transition, Southeastern Grocers will transfer ownership of most of its stores outside Florida while retaining a small number of Winn-Dixie locations in southern Georgia, including in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island and Valdosta.
In total, the company has reached agreements or is advancing plans to sell 32 Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys Supermarkets across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Alongside its rebrand, the company is expanding its presence within Florida.
Southeastern Grocers has finalised a deal to acquire three Hitchcock’s Markets stores in Alachua, Keystone Heights, and Williston, all of which will be converted to Winn-Dixie stores.
The new Williston location is set to open in December 2025, followed by Alachua and Keystone Heights in summer 2026. Employees from the nearby Williston store will have the opportunity to move to the new location.
Once the restructuring is complete, The Winn-Dixie Company will operate around 130 grocery stores and 140 freestanding and grocery-adjacent liquor stores across Florida and southern Georgia.
The grocer also plans dozens of remodels and new store projects aimed at creating more community-focused shopping environments.
Additional growth plans include expanding its liquor store portfolio, enhancing its private-label range, including the return of the Lip Lickin’ Chicken line in early 2026, and testing third-party grocery delivery through partners such as DoorDash and Amazon.
The changes follow a turbulent few years for the business. In 2023, German discounter Aldi acquired Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket divisions before selling them, along with Southeastern Grocers, to a private investor consortium in early 2025.
The company also divested its Fresco y Más Hispanic supermarket chain in 2024 to Coral Gables-based Fresco Retail Group.
“For a century, Winn-Dixie has proudly called Florida home,” said Anthony Hucker, chairman and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, in a statement quoted by Chain Store Age.
“Our story is built on the resilience and spirit of its people, and that foundation will guide our future.
“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 neighbours who have supported us for generations.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
