Southeastern Grocers to Lay Off 250

Southeastern Grocers LLC, parent company of Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo and Harveys, is restructuring the store support center at its Jacksonville, Fla., headquarters, as well as regional support centers across its seven-state Southeast regional footprint, as a result of which 250 associates will lose their jobs.

The reorganization and subsequent layoffs come in the wake of a comprehensive review undertaken by Southeastern Grocers CEO Ian McLeod, who took the helm last March. McLeod cited "a need to simplify the operating model and increase efficiency" as the reasoning behind the review.

"The changes will enable Southeastern Grocers to reinvest in improved quality, service and value for customers; develop store improvement programs across the network; and support the stores more effectively," the company noted in an Oct. 1 statement. "[T]he efficiencies will also enable Southeastern Grocers to better address the needs of its customers."

The company added that it would help affected associates through its career transition services.

"There are no changes to in-store operations teams," the statement went on to assert – a point emphasized by a company spokeswoman, who told PG that the reorganizations would have "zero impact on our stores," indicating that no closures were looming on the horizon.

In recent months, the company has seen the sale of 29 Bi-Lo stores to K-VA-T, a comprehensive executive shakeup and significant divisional overhauls. Industry observer Burt Flickinger has linked the grocer’s actions to its failed attempt last year to mount an IPO.

Southeastern Grocers operates more than 750 stores under its three banners.