The Friday Checkout is a weekly column providing more insight on the news, rounding up the announcements you may have missed and sharing what’s to come.
Winn-Dixie has been through a myriad of divestiture deals and ownership changes over the past several years. But one aspect of its business has remained consistent: retaining its image as a Florida grocer.
Late last week marked Winn-Dixie’s final bow in Georgia, as it sold its remaining five stores in the state to Ahold Delhaize USA banner Food Lion.
“This strategic decision allows us to… direct more resources toward expanding and strengthening our presence across Florida,” Winn-Dixie President and CEO Rhaymond Ree said in a statement announcing the acquisition.
Last October, Southeastern Grocers retired its name to become The Winn-Dixie Company, cementing itself as a Florida brand. Around that same time, the grocer entered numerous divestiture deals that wound down its presence in several Southeastern states, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Georgia.
Winn-Dixie is a Florida staple. It has operated in the Sunshine State for more than 100 years and even made its way into the title of the childhood classic novel “Because of Winn-Dixie,” which takes place in a fictional Florida neighborhood.
But is reputation enough? Florida is a highly competitive grocery market. Even Publix, Florida’s crown jewel grocer, has reported sliding comparable store sales for the past five consecutive quarters. Meanwhile, Sprouts Farmers Market, The Fresh Market and Aldi have been expanding rapidly in the state.
Winn-Dixie seems confident about doubling down on Florida, but given the number of times it’s exchanged hands since 2020, is the grocer in top fighting shape to take on its rivals?
In case you missed it
Aldi plans second Maine location
Municipal officials in Windham, Maine, are considering an application from the discounter to build a store in the town that would be its second location in the state. Aldi plans to demolish a bank building in a shopping center that is also home to a Walmart supercenter to make way for the proposed 19,432-square-foot store, according to the agenda for a meeting of Windham’s planning board. The grocer opened its first Maine store in March, marking the 40th state where it operates.
Virginia Kroger workers seek to cut ties with union
Employees at a store the chain operates in Chester, Virginia, have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for permission to hold a vote over whether to end their representation by Local 400 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.
The workers want to leave the labor group because, they claim, union leaders pressured employees to sign authorization cards to approve unionizing instead of holding a secret-ballot election, according to the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, which announced the decertification effort.
H-E-B celebrates Texas heritage at new store
The supermarket chain on Wednesday opened a new store in Montgomery, Texas, that prominently honors the creator of the state’s flag. The approximately 127,000-square-foot location’s parking lot features a 60-foot Texas flag on a 150-foot flag pole that sits on a limestone base shaped like the state.
The new H-E-B store, located north of Houston, also features a True Texas BBQ restaurant with an in-store dining area and a drive-thru area for pickup orders.
Impulse find
Trader Joe’s looks to dessert-flavored pasta to excite shoppers
Trader Joe’s has long enjoyed a reputation for adding a dose of adventure to food-shopping, and the specialty retailer is leaning into that playful image with a new variety of ravioli that puts a decidedly unique twist on a traditional main course.
The chain’s Tiramisu Ravioli, sourced from Italy, pairs cocoa-flavored thin pasta with a mascarpone and ricotta cheese filling that includes vanilla and coffee. To heighten the eating experience, Trader Joe’s recommends serving the ravioli with whipped cream and berries or powdered sugar.
Trader Joe’s describes its new dessert-themed offering as “a grocery list plot twist you can appreciate.”
