Southeastern Grocers

Your in-depth resource for everything about Southeastern Grocers—from its Jacksonville roots and family of banners (Winn-Dixie, Harveys, and former brands like BI-LO and Fresco y Más) to private label awards, the recent ALDI merger, and the company’s next chapter as The Winn-Dixie Company.

Southeastern Grocers (SEG) has been one of the most dynamic and resilient forces in Southern grocery retail. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, this private company has operated some of the region’s most beloved names—Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarkets, and formerly BI-LO and Fresco y Más. With a history marked by mergers, bankruptcy, strategic reinvention, and ultimately a transformative agreement with German discount giant ALDI, Southeastern Grocers represents a story of adaptation and survival in a fiercely competitive industry. Today, the company is embarking on an exciting new chapter as it rebrands to The Winn-Dixie Company, focusing on its deepest roots in Florida and South Georgia [citation:7].

Southeastern Grocers at a Glance

Headquarters

Jacksonville, Florida [citation:1]

Founded

2013 (as Southeastern Grocers, from Bi-Lo Holdings) [citation:1]

Current Banners

Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarket [citation:1]

Future Operating Area

270 stores in Florida and South Georgia (as The Winn-Dixie Company in 2026) [citation:7]

The Complicated History of Southeastern Grocers

Southeastern Grocers’ story is one of consolidation, challenge, and reinvention. It begins with BI-LO Holdings, a company owned by private equity firm Lone Star Funds, which had acquired the BI-LO chain in 2004 [citation:1].

The Winn-Dixie Merger (2011-2012)

In December 2011, BI-LO announced it would acquire the iconic Winn-Dixie chain for $560 million, creating a grocery giant with nearly 700 stores across eight Southeastern states. The merged company was based at Winn-Dixie’s former headquarters in Jacksonville [citation:1].

Expansion and New Banners (2013-2016)

In 2013, BI-LO acquired the Harveys, Sweetbay, and Reid’s banners from Delhaize Group for $265 million [citation:1]. That September, Lone Star Funds created Southeastern Grocers as the new parent company for BI-LO, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie, and filed for a $500 million IPO (later withdrawn) [citation:1][citation:2]. In 2016, SEG launched a new Hispanic-focused banner, Fresco y Más, converting several South Florida Winn-Dixie locations to serve the community with expanded Latin products and a full-service Carniceria [citation:10].

Bankruptcy and Restructuring (2018)

Facing competitive pressures and debt, Southeastern Grocers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2018. The restructuring plan, which closed 94 stores, reduced debt by over $500 million. The company emerged in May 2018 with 575 stores and a renewed focus on store remodels and operational efficiency [citation:1][citation:4].

Elimination of the BI-LO Banner (2020-2021)

In June 2020, SEG announced it would exit the BI-LO banner entirely, selling 62 stores (46 BI-LO, 16 Harveys) to Ahold Delhaize (which rebranded them as Food Lion) and divesting pharmacy files to CVS and Walgreens. Additional BI-LO stores were sold to Alex Lee and independent operators, with the remaining locations closing by April 2021, ending the 60-year run of the BI-LO name [citation:1][citation:2].

The ALDI Agreement (2023-2024)

In August 2023, Southeastern Grocers announced a transformative agreement: German discount chain ALDI would acquire all outstanding SEG capital stock in an all-cash transaction, encompassing Winn-Dixie and Harveys operations. The deal included selling the Fresco y Más banner to Fresco Retail Group in early 2024 [citation:6].

A New Chapter: The Winn-Dixie Company (2025-2026)

In a surprising turn, ALDI sold off portions of the acquired business in 2025. In February 2025, a consortium led by SEG CEO Anthony Hucker and C&S Wholesale Grocers acquired 170 Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores, plus the Winn-Dixie liquor business, from ALDI [citation:7]. In October 2025, Southeastern Grocers announced it would rebrand as The Winn-Dixie Company in early 2026, focusing on 270 stores in Florida and South Georgia—where its roots run deepest [citation:7].

Current Banners: Winn-Dixie and Harveys

Winn-Dixie

The flagship banner and an iconic Southern brand with deep roots in Florida (dating back to 1925). Winn-Dixie stores average 48,000 square feet and offer a full-service grocery experience with a strong emphasis on fresh departments, pharmacy, and private label products [citation:2]. Under the new Winn-Dixie Company, this banner will be the primary focus moving forward [citation:7].

Harveys Supermarket

A no-frills, value-oriented banner with approximately 38,500 square feet and about 26,000 SKUs. Harveys serves communities primarily in Georgia and Florida with a focus on everyday low prices and essential grocery offerings [citation:2].

Former Banners: Part of SEG’s Legacy

BI-LO

Acquired through the 2005 purchase, expanded via mergers, and ultimately discontinued in 2021 after 60 years. Stores were sold to Food Lion, Alex Lee, and independent operators [citation:1].

Fresco y Más

Launched in 2016 as a Hispanic-focused banner with expanded Latin products, Carniceria, and Cocina. Divested to Fresco Retail Group in early 2024 as part of the ALDI transaction [citation:6][citation:10].

Sweetbay

Acquired in the Delhaize purchase (2013) and rebranded to Winn-Dixie [citation:1].

Reid’s

Also acquired from Delhaize in 2013 and rebranded to BI-LO [citation:1].

Award-Winning Own Brands: Quality That Competes

Southeastern Grocers has built an impressive portfolio of private label products that consistently win industry awards. With nearly 8,000 Own Brand items, customers save an average of 20% compared to national brands [citation:3].

Essentials

Everyday basics at entry-level prices

SE Grocers

Core grocery items across all categories

Prestige

Premium and indulgent offerings (ice cream, specialty items)

Know & Love

Award-winning wines, dairy, and specialty products

Recent Awards (2025)

In 2025 alone, SEG earned 39 industry awards across its Own Brand portfolio [citation:3]:

18 medals at USA Wine, Beer and Spirits Ratings, including Winn-Dixie Silver Tequila named “Best Spirit of the Year by Value”
9 awards at the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest (6 first-place wins)
8 awards from Progressive Grocer’s and Store Brands Editors’ Picks
NielsenIQ Design Impact Award for Know & Love packaging redesigns
6 blue ribbons at the American Pie Council’s National Pie Championships

Total Own Brand awards in 2025: 45 and counting [citation:3].

Departments & Services

Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores offer a comprehensive grocery experience with an emphasis on fresh and locally tailored offerings [citation:2]:

Fresh Produce

Farmers market-style displays with expanded organic selections in remodeled stores [citation:4]

Full-Service Meat & Seafood

Quality cuts and knowledgeable butchers; Fisherman’s Wharf private label seafood line expanding in 2026 [citation:7]

Deli & Prepared Foods

Sandwich stations, smokehouse meats, wing bars, and pizza in refreshed stores [citation:4]

Bakery

Fresh bread, custom cakes, and award-winning pies [citation:3][citation:4]

Pharmacy

Prescriptions, immunizations, and health services (historically over 500 in-store pharmacies; some locations transitioned to CVS/Walgreens in 2020) [citation:1][citation:2]

Liquor Stores

140+ standalone liquor stores operating alongside grocery locations; to remain with The Winn-Dixie Company [citation:7][citation:8]

Savings & Loyalty Programs

Winn-Dixie Rewards / Harvey’s Rewards: A loyalty program with more than 7 million active members accounting for over 85% of sales. Members earn personalized deals and fuel rewards [citation:2].
Fuelperks!: Earn discounts on fuel at participating stations based on grocery spending [citation:10].
Weekly Ad & Digital Coupons: High-low pricing strategy with weekly specials and digital offers available through store websites and apps [citation:2].
Wall of Value: In-store section featuring hundreds of items at consistently low prices [citation:10].

Store Remodels & Future Growth

Under CEO Anthony Hucker (appointed 2017), SEG has pursued an aggressive store renewal program. Remodels have included enhanced produce departments, expanded deli concepts (smokehouse, pizza, wing bars), craft beer selections, and updated signage [citation:4]. The company reported a 10% sales increase per store from the renewal program and aimed to refresh its entire fleet by 2024 [citation:2].

As The Winn-Dixie Company, the focus will be on “dozens” of store remodels and new store projects in Florida and South Georgia, designed to create inviting, community-centered stores [citation:7].

Giving Back to the Community

Southeastern Grocers has a long history of community support, including partnerships with the USO to support military families [citation:3]. The company’s purpose remains “feeding and enriching the communities, families, and neighbors who have supported us for generations” [citation:7].

Key Leadership

Anthony Hucker: Chairman, President & CEO, joined SEG in 2016 as COO, named CEO in August 2017. He has led the company through bankruptcy restructuring, strategic divestitures, the ALDI transaction, and the rebranding as The Winn-Dixie Company [citation:1][citation:4][citation:7].