SHOPPERS have become upset over their beloved Winn-Dixie stores closing down following a merger with a huge discount chain.
It's not just shoppers but pharmacists too. They fear their jobs may be in danger after Aldi announced it would acquire 400 Winn-Dixie stores in the Jacksonville, Florida area.
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The workers received an email revealing that the stores that were bought would begin closing their pharmacies within the coming months.
Customers who use the pharmacies at Winn-Dixie aren't excited about the change.
"I'm upset," Mickie Green told News4JAX. "I like Winn-Dixie the way it is, and I don’t drive so I just walk across the street to get here."
Green has shopped at her local Winn-Dixie for years and she doesn't look forward to having to go somewhere else for her prescriptions.
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Current Winn-Dixie customers will be transferred to other pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens.
"Prior to the closing of the proposed merger agreements recently announced, Southeastern Grocers has entered into agreements to transfer prescription files to certain CVS Pharmacies and Walgreens," read a statement from the director of communications for Southeastern Grocers.
"These agreements will help ensure that our pharmacy customers continue to have access to pharmacy services without interruption. We anticipate that the transfer of these pharmacy files will be completed by the end of 2023.
"While we do not have a definitive date at this time, we can assure you that nothing changes today. We remain committed to protecting the health and wellness of our customers and communities until the transactions are finalized, and our pharmacy customers will be provided sufficient advance notice prior to the transfer."
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The statement added that the transfers are handled carefully and confidentially so there won't be a delay in service.
The statement continued: "CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens locations offer a convenient alternative for our customers. While we can’t speak for them, they have both shared that they know the quality of our team, and they have expressed a desire to interview our talented and passionate pharmacy associates."
Aldi's CEO, Jason Hart said the merger "supports our long-term growth strategy across the United States, including plans to add 120 new stores nationwide this year, to reach a total of more than 2,400 stores by year-end."
Some customers are looking forward to the change as Aldi is known for having low prices, however, others are worried about finding a new pharmacy that meets their needs.
"If the next pharmaceutical company is really far away and there’s an older demographic of people who can’t drive, then that could be an issue," Jacob Stotzky told News4JAX.
"How are they going to get their prescriptions?"
In Florida, Aldi has had a major increase in shoppers over the years, ranking fourth for annual visits in the state in 2022.
The merger is expected to close in the first half of 2024.
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"Our successful transformational journey has created a unique opportunity with leading partners who share our vision and common commitments to creating value for their customers," said Southeastern Grocers CEO Anthony Hucker in a separate statement.
"We believe these next steps will fuel a phenomenal experience for our customers, new opportunities for our associates and increased value for our shareholders. As the sales processes proceed, we’ll stay acutely focused upon delivering the exceptional quality, service and value that our customers and communities have come to expect from us."
