German Aldi buys the supermarket chains Winn-Dixie and Harveys in the US.

Southeastern Grocers (SEG), which owns Winn-Dixie supermarkets and other retail chains in USA announced on Wednesday that its shareholders approved its sale to the German chain of the same sector Aldi, without giving figures.

From Batavia (Germany), Aldi simultaneously announced the operation, which is expected to be closed at the beginning of 2024, once approval is received from the regulatory authorities.

“The transaction supports our long-term growth strategy in the United States, including plans to add 120 new stores across the country this year for a total of more than 2,400 stores by the end of the year.”Aldi CEO Jason Hart said in a statement.

According to a statement, Jacksonville, Florida-based SEG will sell to Aldi some 400 supermarkets in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, of which the 75% It’s in the first of those southern states.

Also, as part of the deal, Aldi will be the new owner of Harveys Supermarkets, another Southeastern Grocers retail chain, which does not have locations in Florida.

The German company initially intends to keep the brand of Winn-Dixie and Harveys supermarkets, but will later evaluate what to do with each of them and said it is possible that some will be transferred to its own brand.

“The time was right to build on our growth momentum and help Southeast residents save on their grocery bills,” Hart said.

Anthony Hucker, CEO of Southeastern Grocers, noted, for his part, that both companies share a commitment to customer value and have similar operating visions.

Southeastern Grocers also announced that it intends to further sell four pharmacies and 28 Fresco y Más grocery stores, located mostly in South Florida and targeting the Hispanic consumer, to Fresco Retail Group LLC, an investment group focused on food and grocery. .