Aldi Just Acquired 2 Major Store Brands—Here's What You Need to Know
If you've been hoping and wishing that more Aldi stores would pop up in your neck of the woods, you may be in luck. Thanks to the chain's newest acquisition of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets across the south-east, customers may start seeing more Aldi locations pop up in spaces previously uninhabited.
Announced on August 16, the company revealed the it has entered into a "definitive agreement" to take hold of the two chains as part of a "larger divestiture of Southeastern Grocers to various entities." Set to include 400 grocery stores located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, the acquisition is following Aldi's plans to double-down on its plans to expand.
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“Like ALDI, Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket have long histories and many loyal customers in the Southeast and we look forward to serving them in the years to come,” Jason Hart, CEO, ALDI, said in the company's press release. “The time was right to build on our growth momentum and help residents in the Southeast save on their grocery bills. The transaction supports our long-term growth strategy across the United States, including plans to add 120 new stores nationwide this year to reach a total of more than 2,400 stores by year-end.”
So what does that mean for shoppers of Winn-Dixie and Harvey Supermarkets? Well for some, it may mean a change in name, as well as products carried. While it's not confirmed how many or which states will see the shift from Winn-Dixie or Harveys to Aldi, the company did confirm that some stores will indeed see the change. Others, however, will continue to operate under their usual branding.
“ALDI will operate Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores with the same level of care and focus on quality and service, as we also evaluate which locations will convert to the ALDI format to better support the neighborhoods we’ll now have the privilege of serving,” added Hart. “For those stores we do not convert, our intention is that these continue to operate as Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores.”
Though no exact date has been given, the deal is expected to be signed, sealed and delivered in 2024. Does this mean Winn-Dixie and Harveys will start selling Aldi-brand items? And will Aldi locations start carrying the OG summer beverage, Chek sodas (IYKYK!)? No one is quite sure yet, but as soon as we find out, we'll let you know!
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