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| Photo from jacksonville.com |
This store features a lot of the same concepts and ideologies that the 2011-2013 Transformational remodels included - Expanded prepared foods selection, large wine department, etc, although some new small additions have been added, such as larger selections of organic and natural products in a store within a store called Naturally Better (natural foods are something Winn-Dixie never really offered much of), a large emphasis on local products and craft beers, a sushi department, a coffee bar and cafe, a patisserie, and a mini-donut fryer to get fresh donuts in minutes. Winn-Dixie was also trying to streamline the layout of the store and add lower shelving to make the store feel more open. The new decor looks pretty good in the new store, and like I mentioned in the other post, Winn-Dixie has 50 stores they plan to remodel to the new look this year. Many of the features at this new store are currently experimental, but Winn-Dixie plans to incorporate the more successful ones in future remodels. I don't expect the majority of those 50 stores to get this extravagant of a remodel, and they'll probably see the more basic version of this remodel that the Phenix City store got. To read more about this remodel and to see some pictures inside the store, you can read articles from The Florida Times Union, the Jacksonville Daily Record, and Winn-Dixie's official press release about the new store here, here and here respectively.
Thanks to the commentor over on the Florida, Meet Safeway post that mentioned this remodel.
Until the Next Time,
The Albertsons Florida Blogger
We were discussing this over at RetailWatchers. The common sentiment is that Southeastern Grocers lacks the leadership and the finances to make sure that stores like this are well-run or try to expand the idea through the entire chain.
ReplyDeleteTo raise money, they should do a sale of stores with some in Florida and ALL of Louisiana on the sale block.
I like how Winn-Dixie has improved itself in recent years. Unfortunately, its changes came too late than sooner. If all Winn-Dixie stores see these updates, it is possible a potential buyer may have great interest.
DeleteSoutheastern Grocers has divested stores. In 2013, seven Bi-Lo stores in North Carolina and South Carolina to Publix. In 2015, 29 Bi-Lo stores in Georgia and Tennessee were divested to K-VA-T Food Stors, which converted them to Food City. Food City announced it is investing $40 million to $50 million over three years to completely renovate and replace its acquired stores. More store divestment or closings are likely as Bi-Lo is speculated to exit the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, North Carolina-South Carolina area and North Carolina completely.
I have to agree with both of you that on your points that it was too little too late, and that Winn-Dixie doesn't have the money to give their stores the remodels they deserve. This is Winn-Dixie's 4th attempt to reinvent themselves after the bankruptcy, as they seem to change their mind about what they want to do every 2-3 years to try to attract shoppers. This remodel and the 2011-2013 Transformational stores were the most grandiose of the 4 remodeling attempts, and I have a feeling this is going to end up like the others. And the old stores that haven't been touched in 15 years still outnumber post-2009 remodeled stores, which is another problem.
DeleteMost of Southeastern's divestitures have been from Bi-Lo, which seems to me to be a chain even weaker than Winn-Dixie. Food City has the right plan with those stores they acquired. Winn-Dixie should consider selling a chunk of Florida stores, like Albertsons did with Publix back in 2008.
I hope Winn Dixie remodels their old stores in Florida before they redo the former Sweetbays that they purchased. The old Sweetbays are a lot nicer than many of the old "have not seen a remodel in years" Winn Dixies.
ReplyDeleteI would hope they do. All the Sweetbay stores were at least remodeled to their current look in the mid-2000's, and are kept clean. There are many Winn-Dixies out there are really need some work done to them, but keep getting passed up as far as remodels go.
Deletethe Winn Dixie closest to me was built around 1998 and it closed shortly there after...it sat vacant for awhile...they they reopened it as Winn Dixies budget store Save Rite (I think) then it changed back to a Winn Dixie. It has never had anything done to it except the signs changed on the outside. It is a store I avoid at all costs. no deli..no bakery and unfresh produce.
DeleteI recall many Atlanta, Georgia, area Winn-Dixie stores converting to Save Rite around 2000. Store numbers were reassigned from the 1800's and 1900's (Atlanta Division to 2600's and 2700's (Save Rite). It was around the time Winn-Dixie consolidated the Atlanta Division into the Montgomery Division, and closed the distribution center on Fulton Industrial Boulevard. (Winn-Dixie's Tampa and Louisville divisions were consolidated into the Orlando and Charlotte divisions respectively, and their distribution centers closed also. Southeastern Grocers now operates a Winn-Dixie Tampa region.)
DeleteSave Rite was retired in 2005 when Winn-Dixie closed approximately 257 stores, and exited North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
I remember Save Rite, but I never went inside one. It seemed to be pretty similar to Albertsons' Super Saver stores that were being launched right around the time Save Rite was about to disappear. Winn-Dixie converted all of their Atlanta stores to Save Rite as a final attempt to save their stores in that area, but ultimately it didn't work out. The late 90's/early 2000's was a tough time to be a grocery chain in the Atlanta area, as many stores were trying to establish divisions there, with Publix being the only new entrant that was able to succeed. I'm not completely sure about this, but I think Winn-Dixie's new Tampa division was a product of the purchase of Sweetbay from Delhaize.
DeleteSave Rite lasted a bit longer than 2005 here. The one in Tampa only switched back to winn Dixie about 5 years ago or less. It is right across the street from where the old Winn Dixie distribution center used to be on Hillsbourgh ave.
DeleteDwayne...I would love to see the Winn Dixie/SaveRite interior that you mention...where they just changed the sign on the outside. I don't think I have ever seen a WD with no deli. Is this store also in Tampa? (Is this the E Hillsborough Ave store you mention?)
ReplyDelete