Winn-Dixie owner Bi-Lo preparing for bankruptcy filing - sources

Feb 16 (Reuters) - Supermarket company Bi-Lo LLC, which owns the Winn-Dixie chain, is planning to close at least 100 stores in a potential bankruptcy, two people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

One of the people said the filing could come as soon as next month.

Margins of supermarkets have taken a hit from growing competition from big box stores, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) and online options such as Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) .

The news about a likely bankruptcy filing by Bi-Lo was first reported by Bloomberg, which said the company is laboring under more than $1 billion in debt following its 2005 buyout by Lone Star Funds. (https://bloom.bg/2o2nY0v).

Bi-Lo was not immediately available for comment.