Rouses Markets to acquire 10 Winn-Dixie stores
The deal broadens Rouses’ footprint by 15 percent and continues a drive by Southeastern Grocers to glean the size of the Winn-Dixie chain
Rouses Markets is expanding its Gulf Coast footprint, announcing plans to acquire 10 Winn-Dixie grocery stores in Louisiana and Mississippi. The deal, made with Southeastern Grocers, which is the parent company of Winn-Dixie, is set to be completed in early 2026.
The Winn-Dixie locations included in the sale are in Baton Rouge, Covington, Destrehan, Franklinton, Gramercy, Kenner, Mandeville, Marrero, New Orleans, LA and Hattiesburg, MS. Rouses’ arrangement to buy the stores will bring its fleet along the Gulf Coast to 76 locations across three states.
“This was just the right time and the right opportunity for us with the Winn Dixie company, deciding to focus on other areas versus Louisiana” said Donny Rouse Jr., third-generation CEO of Rouses Markets in media reports. “It was just the right move for us as a company.”
All of the stores will be rebranded under the Rouses Market banner and will feature core Rouses products, including Gulf seafood, hand-cut meats, Cajun specialties, chef-inspired prepared foods, signature bakery items, fresh produce and an expanded selection of local and regional products. All of the stores are set to be remodeled in the coming years and will remain in service throughout the conversion process, according to news outlets.
“These locations in New Orleans East, Destrehan, Franklinton, Gramercy and Central, Louisiana and Hattiesburg, Mississippi are all areas we have looked at for a long time,” Rouse Jr. explained. “We are also strengthening our presence in Marrero, Covington, Mandeville and Kenner, which continue to grow and are important markets for us. Our goal is to make it easier for more customers to shop with us close to home.”
This plan was set in motion earlier this year. Southeastern Grocers has been reducing its presence outside Florida as part of an effort to focus on the state, its core market. Formerly owned by Aldi, company leaders said in October that they intend to rebrand as The Winn-Dixie Company.
Southeastern Grocers’ decision to unload the stores follows announcements in October that it intended to sell three Winn-Dixie locations in Alabama to regional grocer Food City and divest two stores in Baton Rouge to Brookshire’s Super 1 Foods banner.
Southeastern Grocers recently announced it will become The Winn-Dixie Company in early 2026, uniting under one brand with a renewed focus on Florida. As part of that strategy, the company is transitioning ownership of most of its locations outside the state.
“As we write our next chapter as The Winn-Dixie Company, we also want to acknowledge the people and communities beyond Florida who have been an integral part of our story,” said Anthony Hucker, chairman and CEO of Southeastern Grocers in media reports. “We are profoundly thankful to our associates and customers in these markets for their loyalty. … We will do everything we can to support those who supported us, ensuring this transition reflects the gratitude and respect they deserve.”
Winn-Dixie stores will remain open during the transition. Rouses said stores will temporarily close for a short period during the final conversion. The company is encouraging all current Winn-Dixie employees to join Rouses Markets.
“Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible,” Rouse Jr. said. “The team members who know these stores and their customers best are an important part of what makes them successful.”
With the acquisition, Rouses Markets will operate 76 locations across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The company employs more than 7,000 people and was named a 2025 Top Workplace by USA Today.
“Community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Donald Rouse Sr., chairman of Rouses Markets. “These stores have been an important part of their neighborhoods for years, and we are honored to continue that legacy.”