Southeastern Grocers (SEG) has announced that the Winn-Dixie Store in Sebastian will undergo a conversion to an ALDI store in February 2025. SEG has notified local employees of the store’s conversion to ALDI, providing a 60-day notice.
“As you are aware, Winn-Dixie Store No. 2354 located at 995 Sebastian Blvd. Sebastian, FL, will permanently close on 2/2/2025, as part of the upcoming ALDI conversion process. While your position will be eliminated between 1/6/2025 and 2/2/2025, there are several options available,” the letter said.
While some positions will be eliminated, the letter informs employees about opportunities and options during the transition. Store associates are encouraged to apply for positions with ALDI, which would provide ALDI pay and benefits.
Eligible associates will be offered severance, regardless of whether they accept or decline a position with ALDI. To be eligible, workers must work through the store closure or an agreed-upon early departure.
ALDI offers competitive pay compared to other grocery stores, with cashiers earning between $17.50 and $19.50 per hour. Store manager trainees start at $28.25 per hour and can earn up to $80,000 annually. Other benefits offered by ALDI include a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and health insurance.
Rumors of an ALDI store in Sebastian began to swirl after Sebastian Daily published an article in 2018, but there was no evidence to suggest a store was coming.
In 2019, an ALDI representative informed Sebastian Daily that the company was considering expanding to Sebastian and Vero Beach. At that time, the market’s capacity to support another grocery store was uncertain.
However, the situation became more evident when ALDI acquired 500 Winn-Dixie stores across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Instead of adding new stores to markets, they purchased existing Winn-Dixie locations and planned to convert some of them into the ALDI brand.
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