Winn-Dixie Stores (2005)

Winn-Dixie's 2005 bankruptcy collapsed a once-dominant Southern grocery chain. The company had operated 1,000+ stores across the Southeast. Walmart's grocery expansion devastated Winn-Dixie's economics - customers could buy groceries cheaper alongside other purchases. Management responded too slowly, closing stores only after losses mounted. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2006 with 520 stores, then was acquired by Southeastern Grocers in 2012. Winn-Dixie demonstrated that regional grocery chains faced extinction against Walmart's scale advantages.