Since snapping up nearly 400 Winn-Dixie supermarkets in March (with most located right here in Florida), Aldi has remained largely silent about exactly which stores would get the full “discount destination” makeover.

But they have said their goal is to convert and reopen at least 50 of these stores as an Aldi in 2025. And in July, three Florida Winn-Dixie locations — two in Panama City and one in Lakeland, were among the first marked for conversion.

However, despite the fact that Aldi CEO Jason Hart told Supermarket News the plan was to make the conversions “a positive and seamless one for everyone involved,” whispers of discontent and disappointment among current Winn-Dixie employees began to surface, with some citing “a lack of communication” from corporate officials.

Winn-Dixie employee speaks out

“Everything we were told has been very hush hush,” because management is not sharing updates with staff, who only hear any news through “word of mouth,” the source, who works at a different Winn-Dixie location, continued. “When a few of us asked — why not tell everyone —management said they don’t want everyone walking out.”

And as far as giving current Winn-Dixie employees first dibs on jobs at Aldi, the source claims that current Aldi employees have first choice.

“Aldi’s employees have first choice if they want to move to a new store,” the source said. “Then they will look for applications from previous Winn-Dixie employees and from what we understand, it will be comparable to a lottery drawing on who they give interviews.”

Rumors fuel frustration

On July 7, Lakeland Retro, a local blogger, shared a tip about the Winn-Dixie at 6902 S. Florida Ave. in Lakeland, writing in a Facebook post , “Nothing official from the company, but there are rumors it is to become an Aldi.”

In response, fellow Facebook user, Ciera Goldman, wrote, “They’re laying off my boyfriend’s uncle who has worked there for 12 years. With a minimal severance package. They did confirm to him however that it will become an Aldi.”

Now, another Lakeland Winn-Dixie has been marked for potential conversion at 2900 Lakeland Highlands Road — with Aldi’s permit request currently under review by the City of Lakeland.

And rumors that a Winn-Dixie in Arcadia, Florida, at 1737 E Oak St, would close and convert to an Aldi — were confirmed as photos of the store’s equipment, including refrigerators, freezers and pharmacy shelving were listed for sale on an auction site .

Job opportunities amid Winn-Dixie transition

In November, Southeastern Grocers announced that the Winn-Dixie Store in Sebastian at 995 Sebastian Blvd. would close for conversion on Feb. 2, 2025, to reopen as Aldi later in the year. The company reportedly notified store employees in a letter obtained by Sebastian Daily that stated, in part, “While your position will be eliminated between 1/6/2025 and 2/2/2025, there are several options available.”

Among them, severance — and the option to apply for a future position with Aldi. But to be eligible the letter states they must agree to work through the store’s closure — “or an agreed-upon early departure.”

In 2017, the Winn-Dixie at 20417 Biscayne Blvd. in Adventura underwent an extensive remodel , including new hardwood flooring, expanded departments, and free Wi-Fi and coffee. However, it now appears an Aldi is on the horizon at this location as well — as several open positions are currently being advertised for the “grand opening” of the new store.

For a full-time lead store associate, the starting wage is $19.50 per hour with an annual wage increase that extends up to $21.50 per hour by year five. The company is also hiring an assistant store manager with wages starting at $24.50 per hour — and a store manager trainee, with a salary that starts at $28.25 per hour — and an estimated earning potential in the first year of up to $95,000.

Aldi officials ‘committed’ to providing support

Aldi officials said they “remain committed to hiring as many Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket associates as possible from converted stores to Aldi,” adding, they “have already seen strong interest in open positions from SEG managers and associates.”

An Aldi spokesperson told GulfLive.com that the store’s current employees are given the opportunity to be the first to apply to newly converted Aldi stores.

And Meredith Hurley, senior director of communications and community for Southeastern Grocers, told GulfLive.com, the company remains “committed to providing our associates with transparency and ongoing support throughout this process.”

“To ensure a smooth transition, SEG continues to work diligently with Aldi to provide opportunities to each associate at converting stores,” Hurley said. “Including having the first opportunity to apply to roles at newly converted Aldi stores or remain with SEG and transfer to a neighboring Harveys Supermarket or Winn-Dixie store.”

In September, as the company continued adding new stores across the country, Aldi announced it would hire more than 13,000 store and warehouse associates for the upcoming 2024 holiday season.

How to get a job at ALDI

New stores mean new jobs and amid reports of good pay and benefits, nearly 60% of current and former workers would recommend Aldi as an employer, according to Glassdoor .