A POPULAR supermarket is set to close a store in just a few days and is sending customers away with discounted shopping.
Local shoppers were alerted to Winn Dixie’s closing via a large banner out front.
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The Winn Dixie at 6902 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland, Florida – about 35 miles from Tampa – will officially close on July 28.
Shoppers were greeted with a large red banner out front that read “This store will be closing soon,” as well as an “All Sales Final” sign posted on the front door, by a local store.
A notice about the store’s new opening hours – from 8am to 9pm – was also posted at the entrance.
Inside Winn Dixie, shoppers found deep discounts.
Read more about store closures
Many items were discounted by 30% to 40%, and the sterile meat shelves meant that many customers were taking advantage of the offers.
The Winn Dixie liquor store at Imperial Christina Plaza is also closing, offering discounts of around 20%.
A handwritten sign on the front door indicated the liquor store was open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Shoppers who depended on Winn Dixie will have to travel further for groceries as it closes in just a few days.
The closest Winn Dixie is at 2896 Lakeland Highlands Road, about 7 miles away.
There are 546 Winn Dixies in the US and 460 are in Florida, so ScratchHero.
RETAIL REPLACEMENT
The Winn Dixie at Imperial Christina Plaza is one of about 50 that will be converted to an Aldi and reopen in 2025, according to Meredith Hurley, senior director of communications for Southeastern Grocers.
Aldi acquired Southeastern Grocers in March, the parent company of Winn Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets.
As part of the acquisition, the German grocer gained around 500 grocery stores.
It plans to convert a “significant number” of Winn Dixies and Harveys supermarkets into Aldis over the next few years, for a Press release.
Aldi acquisition
Aldi announced it would acquire Winn Dixie and other stores such as Harveys Supermarkets from Southeastern Grocers last August.
As part of the acquisition, many of the locations will be converted to Aldis.
“We are evaluating which locations will convert to the Aldi format to better support the neighborhoods we will now be privileged to serve,” CEO James Hart said in a statement to Miami Herald last year.
Several other Winn Dixies are about to become Aldis, including one in New Orleans, Louisiana, and another in Auburn, Alabama.
However, the company “intends that a significant number of Winn-Dixie and Harveys supermarkets will continue to operate under their current banners.”
Winn Dixie employees can apply for jobs at new Aldi stores or transfer to nearby Winn Dixies.
“As we work through this transition period, conversion plans are still being finalized and we will share more information as it becomes available,” Hurley said.
“We appreciate the support and understanding of our valued associates, customers and communities throughout this process.”
In other store closing news, Save-A-Lot abruptly closed a location and customers found out via an apology note on the door.
A dessert shop with dozens of locations is also closing and has launched 75% off sales.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
