JACKSONVILLE, FL - Just shy of a year after announcing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Southeastern Grocers will close an additional 22 stores over the next month, the company shared. In total, the retailer said it will close 7 Winn-Dixie, 13 Bi-Lo, and 2 Harveys locations on or before March 25, according to a report by the Post and Courier.

“We realize that the closure of an underperforming store in your community can be challenging,” said Joe Caldwell, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications and Sports Partnerships, in a statement to multiple outlets. “We do not take these decisions lightly and only make this tough choice after careful consideration of its impact on our associates and our customers has been made.”

In March of 2018, Southeastern Grocers announced it was declaring bankruptcy and closing 94 stores across South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida in the process. At the time, President and CEO Anthony Hucker said the move was in efforts to “...put our company in the best position to succeed in the extremely competitive retail market in which we do business.”

And that competitive environment still hasn’t slowed, despite Southeastern Grocers’ best efforts to remodel existing locations and open new stores catered to specific local demographics. Publix, Sprouts, Lucky’s, and more have all made efforts to expand in areas where Southeastern Grocers has strongholds.

AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the ups and downs of retail as it affects fresh produce, so stay tuned for the latest.

Southeastern Grocers