ALDI to take over Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets. Here's what it means for Bay County

Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald
·3 min read
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This Winn-Dixie at 3157 West 23rd Street in Panama City is among more than 400 stores that will soon be owned by ALDI, a German-based supermarket chain with a U.S. headquarters in Batavia, Illinois.
This Winn-Dixie at 3157 West 23rd Street in Panama City is among more than 400 stores that will soon be owned by ALDI, a German-based supermarket chain with a U.S. headquarters in Batavia, Illinois.

PANAMA CITY − One of the most well known grocery stores in the area soon will have new ownership.

In a news release on Wednesday, Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets, announced it had agreed to sell more than 400 store locations to ALDI, a German-based supermarket chain with a U.S. headquarters in Batavia, Illinois.

Here's what we know about the deal, which is slated to close next spring.

Where are the stores affected by the deal?

About 75% of the 400 stores included in the deal are located in Florida, with the rest in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

"Under the proposed merger agreement, ALDI will acquire all outstanding SEG (Southeastern Grocers) capital stock in an all-cash transaction, which encompasses all SEG grocery operations under the Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners," the release reads.

Does this mean all Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores will be rebranded?

It is still unknown which Winn-Dixie and Harveys locations will be rebranded into ALDI stores. The release says that officials plan to "evaluate which locations (to) convert to the ALDI format." It also states some stores will continue to operate under their original trade name.

"We believe these next steps will fuel a phenomenal experience for our customers, new opportunities for our associates and increased value for our shareholders," Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said in the release. "As the sales processes proceed, we’ll stay acutely focused upon delivering the exceptional quality, service and value that our customers and communities have come to expect from us.”

How many Winn-Dixie, Harveys and ALDI locations are in Bay County?

Though there are no Harveys Supermarkets in Bay County. But there are seven Winn-Dixie locations and two ALDI locations in the area.

The local Winn-Dixie locations are:

  • 23200 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach

  • 17184 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach

  • 2533 Thomas Drive, Panama City

  • 3157 West 23rd St., Panama City

  • 1812 State 77 Suite119, Lynn Haven

  • 3621 U.S. 231, Panama City

  • 132 South Tyndall Parkway, Parker

The local ALDI locations are:

  • 2260 State 77, Lynn Haven

  • 5500 East 7th Street, Callaway

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What do locals think about the deal?

Kaitlin Dodd, a Panama City resident, said she thinks there are pros and cons to ALDI taking over Winn-Dixie and Harveys. Dodd was among those who visited the Winn-Dixie location at 3157 West 23rd St. on Thursday morning.

"I'm excited, I guess, because I've never been to an ALDI, and I've heard good things, but I'm sad because I love Winn-Dixie," she said. "I love (Winn-Dixie's) buy-one-get-ones, (but) I heard (ALDI's) deli might be better."

Bill Lasko, a Panama City resident also at the same Winn-Dixie location on Thursday, was less optimistic about the deal. Lasko said Winn-Dixie is his favorite grocery store, and he does not want it to go away.

"They've got everything I need," he said. "Every once in a while, I'll have to go to Lowe's or something like that, but I like Winn-Dixie. ... I don't care for (ALDI)."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: ALDI buying Winn-Dixie: What we know about the effects in Bay County