JACKSONVILLE, FL - Southeastern Grocers, LLC (SEG), parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie, is reaffirming its commitment to building a stronger and more sustainable future with the release of its 2024 Impact Report on Earth Day. Additionally, the grocer is supporting local conservation efforts by providing monetary donations and engaging its associates with enriching volunteer opportunities at nine Earth Month events in partnership with organizations across its five-state footprint.

SEG’s annual report highlights its accomplishments over the last year in support of the environment and its neighbors in offering more sustainable products, furthering eco-responsibility practices, and giving back to the communities it serves.

Anthony Hucker, Chairman, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said in a recent press release, “Reflecting on our incredible journey in 2024, we continue to find inspiration in the power of progress as we strengthen our dedication to building a more sustainable future. Last year, we lent a helping hand to our neighbors in need, led product innovation with excellence and authenticity, and advanced our earth-friendly initiatives. By empowering our associates to feed and enrich our communities, we are proudly doing our part to create a stronger world for generations to come.”

SEG and its charitable arm, the SEG Gives Foundation, donated more than $4 million to support local communities in 2024. The grocer donated more than $1 million in monetary and product donations to help alleviate hunger and hosted over 30 mobile food pantry events to provide nourishing food to neighbors in need. SEG also donated nearly $600,000 to emergency assistance and disaster relief in addition to holding distribution events for families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. SEG helped to provide 150 educational scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen and disabled military members by donating more than $550,000 to Folds of Honor in 2024. Additionally, the grocer’s fifth annual Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity (BID) Grant provided $487,500 to deserving nonprofit organizations that work to address racial disparities in health care, food insecurity and education.

In 2024, the grocer earned the Great Place to Work® certification for the fifth consecutive year. Furthermore, SEG was included on U.S. News’ list of Best Companies to Work For and earned Progressive Grocer’s Impact Award for Workforce Development/Employee Support. The grocer supported its associates’ educational and career goals by providing $75,000 in college scholarships. The SEG Cares Foundation also provided $219,000 in support for associates and their families facing unexpected hardships.

SEG remains committed to both supplier diversity and product excellence. The grocer increased its diverse suppliers by 9.34% in 2024 to offer industry innovation, exceptional value and cultural authenticity. SEG also unveiled dedicated endcaps in 65 stores to offer greater visibility to emerging diverse brands as well as to create a destination for shoppers looking to support these brands. Additionally, SEG focused on expanding its award-winning line of high-quality Own Brand products, earning 107 industry awards in 2024 for product innovation. SEG also launched its first-ever exclusive private-label wine line, crafted in partnership with a certified sustainable, family-owned winery.

Dedicated to caring for the environment, SEG continued to advance its eco-responsibility efforts in its stores and communities in 2024. The grocer’s electric vehicle stations saw a 16.7% year-over-year increase in charging activity, underscoring customers’ growing shift toward sustainable transportation. To further support this progress, three new charging stations were added at select neighborhood stores. SEG also implemented a variety of energy enhancements to stores throughout its footprint, including roof replacements using salvaged and energy-saving materials, as well as parking lot lighting upgrades to energy-efficient LEDs.

Additionally, SEG has increased its waste reduction efforts by eliminating the use of nearly 1.38 million single-use plastic bags* through its reusable Community Bag program and increasing paper savings by 16.4% via digital receipts and coupons. Its recycling initiatives also diverted over 3.1 million pounds of plastic and 49,000 tons of cardboard from landfills.

SEG is partnering with nine organizations across the Southeast and donating nearly $9,000 to support environmental efforts in the communities the grocer serves. Local associates volunteer their time to contribute positively to the neighborhoods where they live and work, helping to create happier, healthier environments and demonstrating their personal commitment to environmental stewardship:

• Bahia Honda State Park (Big Pine Key)
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (Key Biscayne)
• Central Florida Earth Day (Orlando)
• Keep Louisiana Beautiful (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
• Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (Tampa)
• Lafitte Greenway (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Ocean Hour (Pensacola)
• Sombrero Beach (Marathon)
• Tree Hill Nature Center (Jacksonville)

As a forward-thinking retailer, SEG is dedicated to being a trusted neighborhood grocer, prioritizing the needs of both present and future generations. The grocer is dedicated to delivering exceptional value and quality every day, while making meaningful strides toward building a stronger future for all. To view its 2024 Impact Report and learn more about its ongoing sustainability efforts, please visit segrocers.com/sustainability.

BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart recently provided a recap of its 2025 investment meeting, and let me tell you—it was all about transformation, scale, and serious confidence. Doug McMillon, President and Chief Executive Officer, kicked things off by leaning into Walmart’s ability to adapt.

“While in the short term we are not immune to some of the effects businesses face in today’s operating environment, we are uniquely positioned to play offense,” McMillon said in a press release. “Changes we’re making to our business add even more strength and flexibility for our future. We’re an ‘and’ company. We’re people and tech; stores and eCommerce; innovation and execution.”

From there, the message was clear: Walmart’s got the tools to grow profit faster than sales, and it’s banking on digital plays like advertising, Fintech, and data to do it. CFO John David Rainey broke it down—eCommerce is on track to turn a profit this year in the U.S., and newer segments are driving real margin lift.

Walmart International? Aiming to hit $200 billion GMV and double profits by 2028. Sam’s Club? Planning to double membership and remodel all 600 clubs with future-forward tech. And Walmart U.S.? It’s investing heavily in automation, fulfillment, and omnichannel speed to keep reaching 95% of households in under three hours.

For more from the press release, click here.

The outlook was optimistic and sharp, and if you're tracking how major retailers are evolving in this space, you’ll want to keep your eyes here. And of course, keep checking in with ANUK for more insights on how these big shifts ripple through the industry.

STELLARTON, NS - Empire Company Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc. announced that Michael Medline, President and Chief Executive Officer has informed them of his intention to retire from the company in May 2026, allowing the Board of Directors to conduct a thorough internal and external search for his replacement. As part of its succession planning process, the board has created a special committee to oversee the identification and selection of the company's next CEO.

"Michael has been the true embodiment of a resilient, adaptable and courageous business leader since joining Empire more than eight years ago," said Jim Dickson, Chair of the Board of Empire, in a company release. "Not only did he lead the difficult transformation and turnaround of what at the time was a struggling business, he has since steered Empire on its current growth trajectory, delivering immense value for shareholders in a dynamic and ever-changing marketplace, including skillfully navigating the unprecedented headwinds of a global pandemic and the worst inflation in four decades. He did all of this while also revitalizing Empire's organizational culture as well as serving as the staunchest and most passionate advocate for our company and the broader Canadian grocery industry. I am incredibly grateful for Michael's leadership and look forward to working with him in the coming year as he and his team continue to drive the company's growth."

Since Medline assumed leadership of Empire in 2017, the company has delivered average annual adjusted EPS growth of 15% while tripling its share price, making Empire one of the top performers on the TSX during his tenure to date.

"I am so incredibly proud of the many accomplishments Empire has achieved and the shareholder value we have created over the past eight years," said Medline. "Our success has been the direct result of a great strategy, disciplined execution and the dedication and efforts of our 128,000 teammates as well as our excellent leadership team, all of whom come to work each and every day to serve the needs of our customers."

"Our company is stronger, more resilient and well positioned for ongoing success thanks to their efforts. My focus remains on continuing to build on the tremendous progress we have made over the past number of years as our board identifies Empire's next CEO."

Upon joining Empire in January 2017, Medline led the organization through two successive transformation initiatives that spanned more than five years and saw the company introduce strategic, structural and operational changes that simplified the company's structure, grew sales, removed significant costs and reengaged both employees and customers.

Medline's vision to build the company's brands and delight customers has seen the company invest approximately $2.5 billion over the past eight years in the growth and development of its store network and distribution assets. The acquisitions of Farm Boy (2018) and Longo's (2021) have strengthened the company's presence in the important Southern Ontario market, while the expansion of its FreshCo discount banner into Western Canada and development of the company's multi-cultural strategy has served the needs of the country's expanding South Asian population. Under Medline's leadership, Empire also boldly invested in building a world class e-commerce business, Voilà, while reimagining its loyalty program with its launch in 2022 of Scene+ with co-owners Cineplex and Scotiabank.

Medline was an early advocate for the Grocery Code of Conduct as a means of ensuring fair and transparent practices across the food supply chain to benefit manufacturers, retailers and, ultimately, Canadian consumers. His commitment to advancing critical Environmental, Social and Governance practices has helped Empire foster a more diverse, inclusive, and sustainable work environment and business. His leadership in supporting and advancing substantial investments by the company in youth mental health, school food programs and Special Olympics, has helped Canadian families while strengthening the fabric of hundreds of communities across the country.

"There is never a perfect time to retire from a job that you love. It's been the highlight of my career and such an incredible honour to help lead this iconic Canadian company for more than eight years. I take great pride in knowing that I will be leaving the company in good shape for the next CEO," Medline added. "I am grateful to our great Chair, Jim Dickson, the Board of Directors and the Sobey family for giving me this opportunity and for their tremendous guidance and support on our journey to transform this company into the best retailer in the country."