Investor Reveals 5% Stake in Winn-Dixie

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Perry Capital, a New York hedge fund headed by a member of Sears Holdings‘ board of directors, has taken a 5% stake in Winn-Dixie Stores here, the investor said in a government filing this week. Perry is the first large shareholder to be revealed in Winn-Dixie since the company emerged from bankruptcy late last year and issued new stock. The fund is headed by Richard Perry, a major shareholder in retailer Sears Holdings; he was named to that company‘s board of directors in 2005. Sears Holdings was created as a result of a merger between Sears and Kmart shortly after the latter emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2004. Perry Capital has $11 billion under management and “generally considers its investments long term and seeks to develop close working relationships with key members of a company‘s management and operating team,” Sears said in a press statement announcing the board appointment. Perry Capital‘s 2.7 million shares in Winn-Dixie had a market value of around $36.6 million as of Dec. 31, the firm said. -- Jon Springer