JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Winn-Dixie has agreed to sell its last five Georgia grocery stores to Food Lion, completing the Jacksonville-based grocer’s shift to a Florida-focused strategy.
The stores are in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons Island and Valdosta. They will remain open as Winn-Dixie until the sale closes, then briefly close for conversion before reopening as Food Lion stores in mid-December, Food Lion said. The company expects to hire about 375 workers for the locations.
Winn-Dixie expects to operate more than 120 grocery stores and more than 100 liquor stores in Florida after the sale. The company said the move will allow it to direct more resources toward expanding and strengthening its presence in its home state.
“For more than 100 years, Florida has been our home, and our commitment to the communities that have shaped our story remains strong. We’ve made tremendous progress this year, from opening new stores and investing in our neighborhoods to bringing our operations together under one iconic brand. This strategic decision allows us to build on that momentum and direct more resources toward expanding and strengthening our presence across Florida. We recognize the impact this decision has on our associates and customers in southern Georgia, and we deeply value the relationships we’ve built over the years. Looking ahead, we remain committed to building on our legacy, serving more Florida communities and delivering on our promise to be Florida’s hometown grocer,” Winn-Dixie President and CEO Raymond Rhee said in a company statement.
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