JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores' restructuring, initiated in April 2000 and now nearly complete, will provide a springboard for the company, based here, to come back next year, according to the company's 2001 annual report.
omparable national brands. It also sees private label promoting customer loyalty. Winn-Dixie has Chek soda, which holds a leading position in several markets, according to the report, outselling leading national brands.
The company is poised to further expand its private label with manufacturing facilities that are already handling contract manufacturing for other companies, it said.
Further growth opportunities range from pharmacy operations to fuel centers such as those acquired as part of Jitney Jungle acquisitions. Also, the company said it has seven profitable liquor stores in operation and holds additional liquor licenses for future expansion.
As appropriate, Winn-Dixie said it plans to add store-within-a-store concepts such as pet centers, soft drink and snack centers, household cleaning sections and baby needs.
The $552.2 million spent on restructuring will save Winn-Dixie approximately $400 million a year, it said.
The restructuring consisted of the following:
Sharpened focus on total customer satisfaction.
Centralized functions such as accounting, real estate, procurement and marketing for better control and efficiency.
Closed 112 stores and certain manufacturing and distribution centers, all which the company considered underperforming assets.
Reformatted store layouts and retrofitted more than half the chain with assortments to increase profitability.
Introduced new methods to better manage inventory.
Revamped performance-based incentive plans.
Its future goals are to be the best supermarket operator in the neighborhood; provide the right products, excellent service and low prices; run profitable stores targeted to the customer; and maintain strong market share in growing markets, the company stated.
