Last updated on October 10th, 2013 at 10:43 am
Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, parent company of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarket chains, intends to continue the Harveys banner name and retire the Sweetbay and Reid’s banners following the close of its transaction with Delhaize Group, parent company of the Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s supermarket chains.
Sweetbay stores are expected to be converted to the Winn-Dixie banner; Reid’s stores will convert to Bi-Lo. Bi-Lo Holdings said it intends to retain all store-level associates within the stores being acquired and operated.
The majority of Harveys stores will remain branded as they are today, though a few Harveys may convert to the Winn-Dixie or Bi-Lo banner or vice versa.
The Sweetbay and Reid’s banner conversions are anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2014. The changes are being made to reduce overlapping footprints, according to Jacksonville, Fla.-based Bi-Lo Holdings. There is little overlap between Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores.
“Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s have outstanding reputations, and their talented teams of associates have played a key role in making these stores an important part of the communities they serve,” said Randall Onstead, president and CEO of Bi-Lo Holdings. “We are pleased to soon welcome the outstanding associates of all three chains to the Bi-Lo Holdings family.”
Bi-Lo Holdings and Delhaize entered into a definitive agreement in May under which Bi-Lo Holdings will acquire substantially all of the stores in the Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s supermarket chains from Delhaize. The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2014 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Until the transaction is complete, Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s will continue to operate independently from Bi-Lo Holdings and its subsidiaries.
4 Comments