More Dixie for Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (Jacksonville, Fla.), announced today that it would proceed with its previouslyannounced plan to purchase nine Gooding's stores in the Orlando area. Winn-Dixie has been informed by the Federal Trade Commission that it will not object to the acquisition. The parties anticipate completing the transaction within the next few weeks.

The nine supermarkets average 47,300 square feet. Winn-Dixie has said it anticipates offering employment opportunities to substantially all of the Gooding's employees at the acquired stores.

Gooding's currently operates 12 retail outlets in the Central Florida area. Following the sale of the nine supermarkets to Winn-Dixie, Gooding's will continue to operate the three remaining Orlando-area locations – at International Drive, Lake Buena Vista, and Celebration. Winn-Dixie, at more than 1,000 stores in 14 states one of the nation's largest supermarket retailers, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2000.