C&S Wholesale Grocers is moving to become majority owner of The Winn-Dixie Company, deepening its investment in the century-old supermarket chain as Winn-Dixie concentrates its operations in Florida and southern Georgia. The proposed transaction is expected to close in early 2027. Financial terms and the size of C&S’s ownership stake were not disclosed. C&S is not new to the business. The Keene, New Hampshire-based wholesaler was part of the investor group that purchased roughly 170 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores from Aldi U.S. in February 2025.
The new deal would give C&S majority control as Winn-Dixie works through another period of change at the store level. In January, parent company Southeastern Grocers officially renamed itself The Winn-Dixie Company, bringing the corporate identity under its longstanding flagship banner. The company has also been consolidating its remaining supermarkets under the Winn-Dixie name. Eight Harveys locations in Florida and southern Georgia completed conversions in June. The stores received updated signage and assortments that include Winn-Dixie Own Brand products, fresh produce, meat, and prepared foods. Several also added broader Hispanic assortments and expanded selections in deli, bakery, meat and seafood. Winn-Dixie has new locations in Alachua and Keystone Heights, Florida in the works following its acquisition of three Hitchcock’s Markets last year. The first of those acquired stores reopened as a Winn-Dixie in Williston in December. A new Zephyrhills supermarket is also expected to open later this year. Existing locations are receiving investment as well.
The company has remodels underway and has been expanding its private-label assortment while maintaining its Winn-Dixie Rewards program, digital deals, BOGO promotions, and Price Hold offers. Winn-Dixie has also committed $65 million over five years to its Jacksonville operations, including stores, its support center and workforce. C&S said its majority investment is intended to support those growth plans while addressing supply chain and structural costs. The wholesaler has worked with Winn-Dixie for more than 20 years and operates a national distribution network that now includes the operations of SpartanNash, which C&S acquired in 2025. The transaction also brings a leadership change. Anthony Hucker, who led the investor group that bought Winn-Dixie back from Aldi and has served as chairman and CEO, will move into a special adviser role over the coming months. Raymond Rhee, currently Winn-Dixie’s chief financial officer, will serve as CEO until the C&S transaction closes. Winn-Dixie will maintain an office presence in Jacksonville, where the company has deep roots.
The chain traces its history to 1925 and marked its 100th anniversary last year. C&S has been increasing its activity in the Southeast beyond Winn-Dixie. Earlier this year, it became the primary supplier for 32 Sedano’s Supermarkets in Florida. Its acquisition of SpartanNash also added wholesale operations and company-owned stores to a retail business that already included Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly locations. For Winn-Dixie customers, the ownership change is not expected to interrupt current store operations. The company’s near-term plans remain centered on new and remodeled supermarkets, a larger private-label selection, and its store base in Florida and southern Georgia.
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