STORM2K

In the three months since Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. filed to reorganize under bankruptcy protection, customers remain split when it comes to noticing significant improvements at area stores.

President Peter Lynch, hired in December, promised immediate changes to boost the chain's business. The company also has said it would close some of its 918 stores.

I polled the 60 members of my Winn-Dixie reader-response group about changes they've seen at Winn-Dixie since the Feb. 21 bankruptcy filing. Of the 25 respondents, 13 said they have seen few or no changes. Another 10 cited improvements at the stores they shop, but say more are needed. Two readers did not specifically address the question.

"The stores are cleaner and the cashiers are much quicker to open new lanes when necessary, which was always one of my pet peeves," said Ellen Davis.

However, Davis, like several other readers, noted that "there still is a problem keeping the shelves stocked, and that is in every department -- from produce to meat to frozen."

Several readers noted that the stores ran low on stock, which might mean more customers are coming in, at least for some of the sales.

"They seem to underestimate customer response to some of the advertised specials they run. The items are not available even a couple of days after the ad prices take effect," said Fran Stevens.

The 10 readers seeing changes made note of cleaner stores, fresher produce, better advertising, less clutter, improved customer service, more efficient store layouts and a better meat selection. Lynch launched produce improvements first and followed with a focus on the meat department. Winn-Dixie historically called itself "The Beef People."

All 23 readers made suggestions for more changes, including better customer service and cleanliness. Here are several comments:

# "Get rid of that dadgummed customer rewards card. If I need your card to get a decent price, one of us missed the point and the other is ticked off," said Hank Jeanneret.

# "What would really be wrong with going back into the grocery business and getting out of the lawn furniture, small appliances?" asks Larry Weathers. "It just seems pork, lima beans, rice and sugar would be a good place to start."

# "They never have enough people around in the store to ask questions," said Barb Jernigan. "Also, they never ask about wheeling your groceries out to the car."

# "Have employees take a second to smile and pleasantly say 'good morning,' or 'how are you?' or 'find everything?', etc.," said Michael Roberts. "This is most important for store managers to do as they walk through their store. Managers set the pattern for their employees to follow."

# "I see an attempt to clean stores and provide better products in produce. They are trying to appeal to a wider group of customers, but will need to change their image in consumers' eyes," said Scott Todd.

# "Neighborhoods change, they get older and the customer base changes. As people age and children leave home, people shop and buy less. That is the trap Winn-Dixie is in now, stores are at old locations," said James Goodwin.

# "Whatever they do, they need to hurry. Peter Lynch has his work cut out," concluded Earl Harris.

DaylilyDawn wrote:I have always thought Winn Dixie sux after the treatment of my son by his manger when he worked for Winn Dixie. My son started working for WD right after highschool and was still working for them when he went into kidney failure. One day he collasped at work and his manager said " Don't die on me boy". His manger did not know how close my son was to death at that point. He went to the DR . the next day and was immediately put into the hospital and on hemodialysis. The Dr said with the levels of toxins in my son's blood, the Dr said he should have been in a coffin. He did not know how my son was still walking around. He said by all rights he should have been dead with levels that high. I don't shop at Winn Dixie for that reason.

DaylilyDawn wrote:WinnDixie has always treated my son with contempt even when he asked for time off to go to doctor to see why he didn't feel good. Instead they said no, they said no time off for you. They do not treat their workers very kindly at the Winn Dixie my son worked at. Since he almost died, while working there, I do not have kind feelings toward Winn Dixie. I am glad my son is no longer working for them.