C&S Wholesale Grocers has announced a proposed transaction that would make it the majority owner of The Winn-Dixie Company, expanding its retail presence in the Southeast as the grocery distributor continues using acquisitions to build a larger national platform.
C&S was already part of a consortium of private investors that acquired Winn-Dixie from ALDI U.S. in 2025.
The latest transaction would increase C&S’s ownership position and give the company majority control of the historic Southeastern grocery chain.
The deal is expected to close in early 2027.
Until closing, Raymond Rhee will serve as CEO of Winn-Dixie.
Anthony Hucker, Winn-Dixie’s current CEO, will continue serving as a special advisor during the coming months.
Winn-Dixie will also maintain an office presence in Jacksonville, preserving ties to the Florida market where the grocer has operated for more than a century.
C&S believes greater ownership of Winn-Dixie can help address structural costs and supply chain requirements while giving the retailer additional resources to execute its longer-term growth strategy.
Plans for Winn-Dixie include refreshing the brand and customer experience, opening additional stores, renovating existing locations, and expanding products customers already associate with the chain, including its own-brand assortment.
The proposed transaction follows C&S’s integration with SpartanNash, which management says has strengthened its ability to support grocery customers across multiple formats.
C&S views additional retail expansion, particularly in the Southeast, as an important opportunity for future growth.
The company has historically been best known as a major wholesale grocery distributor, but its retail portfolio has become increasingly significant.
C&S now operates more than 200 corporate-run grocery stores, primarily under banners including D&W Fresh Market, Grand Union, Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, and Piggly Wiggly.
Its broader family of businesses also includes Grocers Supply, Hansen Distribution Group, Davidson Specialty Foods, and SpartanNash.
The company operates approximately 60 distribution centers nationally and supplies chain stores, independent grocers, and military customers.
Taking majority control of Winn-Dixie would add another major retail platform to that network while giving C&S a stronger consumer-facing presence across the Southeast.
The companies also have a long-standing relationship, with C&S describing Winn-Dixie as a partner for more than 20 years.
That existing relationship is expected to make integration easier while allowing the companies to pursue purchasing, logistics, supply chain, and operating efficiencies.
For Winn-Dixie, C&S’s scale could provide additional resources for new store development and renovations while strengthening the infrastructure supporting its growth plans.
The proposed transaction represents another step in C&S’s increasingly acquisition-driven expansion strategy as the company combines its traditional grocery distribution expertise with a growing portfolio of owned retail banners.
KEY QUOTES:
“The collective insights gathered during our C&S-SpartanNash integration have enabled us to further enhance our support of customers, in all formats, across the United States. Our combination has already strengthened the skills and capabilities we need to win in the marketplace while clearly demonstrating that our continued growth has been greatly enhanced with our transformative M&A.”
“To continue to grow in the industry, not only today, but well into the future, there is even more opportunity within our retail footprint, especially in the Southeast. I want to thank Anthony Hucker for his leadership as we continue the strong legacy of C&S and Winn-Dixie for many generations to come.”
Eric Winn, CEO of C&S Wholesale Grocers
“Winn-Dixie has always been more than a business to me, it is home. This proposed next step with C&S is a natural evolution of a partnership built on trust, shared purpose and a deep belief in what the hometown grocer still means to the communities we serve.”
“As my role evolves, my commitment to Winn-Dixie only grows stronger, and I have full confidence in Raymond and this leadership team, as they are deeply experienced and fully committed to the future we are building.”
Anthony Hucker, CEO of Winn-Dixie
“Our industry is rapidly evolving, and this is another important advancement in our ability to support hometown grocers. I look forward to welcoming Winn-Dixie team members into the C&S family. As partners for more than 20 years, this will be a seamless integration that will enable us to leverage efficiencies and economies of scale to drive growth for our team members, customers, shoppers and communities to build on our legacy of braggingly happy customers.”
Eric Winn, CEO of C&S Wholesale Grocers
