2005 News Releases
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(212) 521-4835
Media:
Kathy Lussier
Senior Director of Communications
904-370-6025
Website: www.winn-dixie.com
WINN-DIXIE NAMES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
OF MERCHANDISING
Veteran Retailer Thomas Robbins to Lead Company's
Sales and Merchandising Strategy
JACKSONVILLE, FL, March 23, 2005 - Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. ("WNDXQ") announced today that Tom Robbins is joining Winn-Dixie as Senior Vice President of Merchandising effective March 28. He will report directly to President and CEO Peter Lynch.
Robbins is a 37-year veteran of the supermarket industry with experience at The Kroger Company, Price Chopper Supermarkets, The Great A&P Tea Company, Thriftway Food & Drug and Delchamps, Inc.
"Tom's extensive industry experience, proven leadership, and ability to drive profitable sales will be a strong asset to our team, particularly during our reorganization," said Lynch. "A strong and well-seasoned merchant leading Winn-Dixie's turnaround plan is critical as we work our way through Chapter 11. We are fortunate to have Tom on our team."
Throughout much of his career, Robbins has held top management positions in Sales and Merchandising, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Price Chopper. In his six years with that retailer, Robbins was responsible for all functions of the sales department, merchandising, marketing, procurement, consumer affairs, and advertising, including being responsible for the departments' revenue. He initiated the development of sales and marketing programs, resulting in five consecutive years of record sales growth.
Robbins began working in retail in 1967 at The Kroger Company, progressing through the company in various positions, including Store Manager and Associate Grocery Sales Manager. He then went to work for The Great A&P Tea Company, ending up as Group Vice President of Merchandising for the Midwest Division. Robbins left A&P to work for Thriftway Food & Drug for 14 years, serving ultimately as Senior Vice President, Store Operations/Administrative Departments. Later at Delchamps, Inc., as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing he played a significant role in the turnaround of this regional supermarket chain. Robbins's efforts helped to reposition Delchamps as a profitable, respected and growing company.
Robbins has completed the Wharton Business School Executive Management Program, "Models for Management Series."
Dick Judd, who has been serving for nearly two years as Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Merchandising for Winn-Dixie, will now focus completely on supply chain management, which includes logistics, distribution and manufacturing. Judd's in-depth experience and solid leadership skills will play a critical role in managing Winn-Dixie's supply chain during this important time in the Company's turnaround.
About Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation's largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. For more information, please visit
http://www.winn-dixie.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve
certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the expected results described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include and may be
indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "estimate," "plans," "expects," "projects," "should," "will,"
"believes," or "intends" and similar words and phrases. There are a number of factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the expected results
described in the Company's forward-looking statements.
There can be no assurance that the Company's restructuring will be successful. Risk factors related to its restructuring efforts that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; court approval of the Company's motions filed with the bankruptcy court from time to time; the ability of the Company to operate under the terms of the Company's DIP facility; the ability of the Company to develop, confirm and consummate plans of reorganization; risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining court approval to terminate or shorten plans of reorganization, for the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to Chapter 7 cases; the potential adverse impact of the Chapter 11 cases on the Company's liquidity and results of operations; the ability of the Company to obtain and maintain trade credit and shipments and terms with vendors and service providers for current and future orders and to maintain in-stock positions for all of its product offerings; the Company's ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; the ability of the Company to attract and retain customers; the ability of the Company to attract, motivate and retain key executives and associates; and potential adverse publicity.
In addition, the Company faces a number of risks with respect to its continuing business operations, including but not limited to: the Company's ability to execute its strategic initiatives, including asset rationalization, store upgrades, expense reduction, brand positioning and customer service, and to fund its store upgrades and brand positioning initiatives; the Company's ability to increase sales and market share through the brand-related initiatives being tested in the Company's lead markets; the Company's ability to increase capital spending levels in the future to invest in its store base and other capital projects; the Company's ability to manage its inventory efficiently; and the Company's response to the entry of new competitors in its markets, including traditional grocery store openings and the entry of non-traditional grocery retailers such as mass merchandisers, supercenters, warehouse club stores, dollar-discount stores, drug stores and conventional department stores.
Please refer to discussions of these and other factors in this news release, in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 12, 2005, and other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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News Release #5020