Southeastern Grocers Inc. is exploring a sale of the company, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Florida-based operator of Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s grocery stores is reportedly in talks with prospective buyers.
If sold, the move would mark another major consolidation in the supermarket industry, following the announced merger of Kroger and Albertsons. Southeastern Grocers, which runs about 420 stores primarily in the Southern U.S. It also operates more than 200 pharmacies and 140 liquor stores. The company was estimated to have about $9.6 billion in sales in 2020, according to the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Southeastern Grocers did not comment on the reports of the sales but also did not dismiss them out of hand.
“We do not comment on market rumors,” a company spokeswoman said in response to the story. “With that said, we are always reviewing ways to enhance shareholder value, and to the extent that credible strategic or other shareholder value enhancing transactions emerge, we have an obligation to consider them."
"While the potential for any such transaction remains ever present in our industry, we will remain focused upon advancing our transformational strategy, supporting our associates, and delivering a world-class shopping experience for our customers.”