December 21, 2011 -

Jacksonville-based Winn Dixie is being bought by the Greenville, S.C.-based Bi-Lo Holding, which owns that supermarket chain for $560 million, the companies announced. The buyer says the purchase won't result in the closing of any stores, but no decision has been made yet on whether Winn Dixie, which emerged from bankruptcy five years ago, will keep its corporate headquarters in northeast Florida. A company spokesman, however, was quoted by the Florida Times-Union as saying that the merger would have "minimal impact" on the Jacksonville office, which employs 1,100. Winn Dixie reported annual revenue of $7.2 billion and it is in the Fortune 500. Winn Dixie stores will maintain their name, as will Bi-Lo stores. Together, the newly merged company would operate nearly 700 stores in eight states. Officials said the deal will close early next year.