JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Southeastern Grocers, which owns Winn-Dixie and Harveys supermarkets, confirmed to News4JAX on Friday that it has laid off multiple employees as a part of a restructuring.
“As our business evolves and we look to the future, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to restructure our Store Support Center in Jacksonville and our Field Support teams across the Southeast,” a spokesperson told News4JAX in an emailed statement.
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The company declined to say how many employees were laid off, citing that it is a “private company.”
The move comes after a group led by Southeastern Grocers Inc. CEO Anthony Hucker bought the company and its supermarket brands Winn-Dixie and Harveys back from Aldi U.S. in February.
Hucker told the Jacksonville Daily Record in March that the company is developing ways to improve its 170 stores and expand the business that was founded a century ago.
“Taking action now is the most prudent thing to do for the long-term health of the business, as we know that we will progressively operate a smaller fleet of stores following previously agreed conversions through 2027. Aligning our structure with the direction of our business is essential to strengthening our operations, ensuring we can continue to serve our customers, support our stores and position our company for long-term success,” the spokesperson said.
Southeastern Grocers said the changes will not directly impact in-store teams, but acknowledged the significance of the decision and the effect it has on all of its associates.
“We are committed to navigating this process with care, respect and transparency, and we deeply appreciate the dedication and contributions of every affected team member. For those impacted, we are offering a comprehensive support package to assist during this transition, including fair compensation, continued health benefits with COBRA paid by the company and access to career coaching resources, including recruiter connections, resume building and interview preparation,” the spokesperson said. “As we move forward, we remain focused on our customers and the communities we serve. We are committed to building a stronger future—one that honors our 100-year legacy while transforming to meet the needs of tomorrow."
