Winn-Dixie Stores Grocer Loses Fight Against Discounters

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.'s attempt to keep competition from chains such as Dollar Tree and Big Lots out of shared strip malls was brought to an abrupt halt this month when a West Palm Beach judge ruled the grocer had failed to define any damages.

U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks found that out of the 136 or so claims Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie filed against discount retailers Dollar Tree, Big Lots and Dollar General, only 10 actually broke agreements.

Seven of the 10 stores were Big Lots locations.

Winn-Dixie claimed the competing stores were violating grocery-exclusive clauses in commercial leases in which shopping center landlords granted Winn-Dixie the right to operate as the only grocery store in a particular location.

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