Supermarket chain Bi-Lo is buying Winn-Dixie, under a $560 million deal that would create a grocery giant of 690 stores in eight Southern states, according to the two companies. Greenville, S.C.–based Bi-Lo operates 207 supermarkets in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee. Jacksonville, Fla.–based Winn-Dixie has nearly 500 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. No stores will be closed, the companies said, and Winn-Dixie will keep its name, becoming a private subsidiary of Bi-Lo.
“With no overlap in our markets, the combined company will have a perfect geographic fit that will create a stronger platform from which to provide our customers great products at a great value, while continuing to offer exceptional service,” said Bi-Lo Chairman Randall Onstead.
