Brookshire acquiring eight Winn-Dixie stores

Brookshire Grocery Co. today announced it is buying eight Louisiana Winn-Dixie stores from financially troubled Southeastern Grocers.

The stores are all in South Louisiana in the towns of New Roads, Breaux Bridge, Franklin, New Iberia, Abbeville, Crowley, Rayne and Eunice. Once the transaction closes, the stores are expected to close for a few days and then reopen under Brookshire’s Super 1 Foods banner.

“We’re excited about this agreement and the opportunity it provides us to further grow and expand in this region,” said Brad Brookshire, chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Co., headquartered in Tyler, Texas. “These stores are a strong fit for our Super 1 Foods banner, and we look forward to welcoming new customers and employees in Acadiana.”

Brookshire has operated its Super 1 Foods stores in the Greater Lafayette area since 1995.

“We absolutely love this part of the world — the people, the culture, the communities and the cuisine,” Brookshire told Supermarket News. “Super 1 Foods has had a strong presence in this area for over 22 years. We’re a family business celebrating our 90th anniversary this year, and we are here to stay.”

He noted that Super 1 Foods stores are known for their low prices, unexpected value, wide assortments of quality fresh products, and customer service. “Our stores and fresh departments are staffed by talented employees who uphold our founders’ core values of integrity and remarkable customer service,” Brookshire said.

“We are pleased to have found a strong partner in Brookshire Grocery Co., who shares our focus on customers and who respects and values their employees,” Trey Edwards, Winn-Dixie regional vice president for Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi at Southeastern Grocers, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., said in a statement.

 “We know BGC very well and are confident that the eight stores being transferred will see continued success in their communities,” Edwards said. “Importantly, Winn-Dixie and Super 1 Foods are working together to ensure a smooth transition for associates, and we are thrilled that our associates in these stores will have the opportunity to interview at their current store locations for ongoing positions.”

When asked by Supermarket News if Southeastern Grocers was planning any other store or asset sales, Edwards replied, “While we cannot predict the future of every store, we’re continually evaluating our store footprint in order to provide our customers with an improved shopper experience.”

He noted that the company continues to operate in Louisiana.

“We will continue to serve our Louisiana customers in our remaining locations,” he said.

When asked if the sale of the stores was related to speculation and trade reports that Southeastern Grocers would soon be filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Edwards replied, “This is in no way tied to any other announcement of any kind. Should there be another change in our portfolio’s position, we’ll communicate that change accordingly.”

Southeastern Grocers operates stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina under the Winn-Dixie, BI-LO, Harveys Supermarket and Fresco y Más banners.

Brookshire Grocery Co. currently operates 176 stores in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, along with three distribution centers.