Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers is closing 22 underperforming stores in the southern United States.
The operator of several grocery chains is closing seven Winn-Dixie stores, 13 Bi-Lo locations, and two Harveys supermarkets in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
The closures will take place on or before 25 March, according to a press release from Southeastern Grocers.
While Southeastern Grocers closed nearly 100 stores last year after successfully restructuring during Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, it is closing additional stores this year.
“We do not take these decisions lightly, and only make this tough choice after careful consideration of its impact on our associates and our customers has been made,” said Joe Caldwell, senior manager of corporate communications, in the press release.
Caldwell did not say whether current employees will be transferred to other stores, but said that all associates will be treated "with the dignity, respect, and compassion they deserve" and have the company's "dedicated support during this transition.”
Winn-Dixie and other Southeastern Grocers’ chains have steadily ramped up fresh seafood selection at their stores in recent years. And, in 2017, Southeastern became the first North American retail member of the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), a non-profit organization committed to supporting one-by-one tuna fisheries.
