Sponsored By

Southeastern Grocers picks up grocery tab for ‘community heroes’

Russell Redman

April 14, 2020

11 Slides
first-responder-southeastern-grocers.png
A Winn-Dixie customer wearing facial protection checks out.Southeastern Grocers

Southeastern Grocers (SEG) on Monday paid the grocery bill for thousands of customers during its reserved shopping hour for health care workers and first responders battling coronavirus.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based SEG said “community heroes” shopping in all Bi-Lo, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores across seven Southeastern states were surprised with a $0 grocery total at the register on Monday evening.

“Southeastern Grocers is dedicated to being there for the community when they need us the most, and we believe there is no better time than now to show acts of kindness,” President and CEO Anthony Hucker commented. “Our heroic health care professionals and first responders are on the front line every day as they work tirelessly to make our communities safer, and we want to do our part to thank them. We were inspired to pay it forward and hope to inspire others so we can continue to lift spirits during this difficult time.”

SEG said it was moved by the recent generosity of well-known filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry. Last week, on April 8, Perry bought groceries for customers at all 29 Louisiana Winn-Dixie stores during the senior and high-risk shopping hour.

In addition, the SEG Gives Foundation last month donated $250,000 to Feeding America to help its network of food banks support those now facing food insecurity across the Southeast. The grocer is also offering more than 5,000 jobs to workers displaced by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related:Easter closing part of Southeastern Grocers’ expanded COVID-19 measures

SEG said that on Mondays and Tuesdays it will continue to provide health workers and first responders with a special shopping hour from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at all stores. Seniors and high-risk customers, too, are invited to shop the first hour of operation, Monday through Friday, at all locations.

Other coronavirus safety measures taken by SEG include modified hours for more comprehensive store cleaning; plexiglass partitions at all registers, customer-service desks, pharmacies and liquor store counters; floor markers prompting shoppers to maintain a two-cart-length distance throughout the store and at checkout; and touch-free payment options at checkout in all stores.

 

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like