Winn-Dixie to Lose 35 Stores

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. (Jacksonville, Fla.) said it would sell or close 35 stores as it prepares to emerge from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization this summer.

The supermarket retailer, which declared bankruptcy in February 2005, said it is seeking potential buyers for these stores. The ones that cannot be sold will be closed. Winn-Dixie currently operates 585 stores in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi and the Bahamas.

“Over the past several months, we have thoroughly reviewed our store base in an effort to ensure Winn-Dixie is able to emerge from Chapter 11 as a healthier and more competitive company,” said president and ceo Peter Lynch. “We have now completed this review and identified 35 stores to be sold or closed because they do not meet our financial requirements going forward. We believe the 550 stores in our continuing footprint will provide us with the most solid possible foundation on which to build a more profitable future for Winn-Dixie. At this time, we do not expect any other store closings as part of our Chapter 11 reorganization process.”