Harris Teeter Expands with Five New Supermarkets in the Southeast

Harris Teeter, a supermarket chain owned by Kroger, has announced plans to open five new locations in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This expansion comes as Kroger restructures its operations, closing underperforming stores in various states. The new supermarkets are set to be built in Jacksonville, Florida; Kannapolis, North Carolina; and Clemson, Fort Mill, and Lake Wylie in South Carolina.

The company stated that the new stores will open “over the next couple of years,” marking a strategic move to meet rising customer demand. Earlier this year, Harris Teeter announced the closure of two locations in Arlington, Virginia, citing corporate strategy as the driving force behind these decisions.

Details of the New Locations

The upcoming Harris Teeter supermarkets will feature modern amenities and a fresh approach to grocery shopping. Each store will include a drive-thru pharmacy, a gas station, and updated decor that reflects the brand’s commitment to enhancing the shopping experience. In addition, customers can expect expanded fresh food sections, a dedicated Murry’s Cheese island, fresh pizza offerings, and an Asian hot bar.

Notably, three of the new locations—Jacksonville, Lake Wylie, and Fort Mill—will also include a full-service wine and beer bar, setting them apart from traditional grocery stores. The stores in Kannapolis and Clemson will each span approximately 53,000 square feet, while the Jacksonville, Lake Wylie, and Fort Mill locations will be even larger, at around 61,000 square feet. This expansion signifies the first Harris Teeter outlets in Jacksonville, Clemson, Lake Wylie, and Kannapolis, while Fort Mill will see an increase in its existing footprint.

Danna Robinson, Director of Corporate Affairs and Customer Relations for Harris Teeter, expressed optimism about the growth. “We’ve seen incredible support from our customers, and this growth allows us to meet rising demand while continuing to deliver the exceptional experience our brand is known for,” she stated.

Job Creation and Online Services

The new supermarkets are also expected to create significant employment opportunities, with each store projected to generate between 100 and 200 jobs. Positions will range across customer service, pharmacy, fresh foods, fuel stations, and store management.

Kroger and Harris Teeter are actively promoting their online shopping and delivery services. For a fee of $6.95, customers can utilize same-day delivery within two hours through Instacart. If the total order is at least $10, some deliveries can arrive in as little as 30 minutes. New customers can also benefit from a $15 discount on their first delivery order of $75 or more.

The company enjoys a devoted following on social media, with many customers expressing strong preferences for Harris Teeter over competitors like Aldi, highlighting the brand’s appeal in the market.

Strategic Restructuring by Kroger

This announcement of expansion aligns with Kroger’s overarching strategy to restructure its operations. Over the next 18 months, the company has revealed plans to close around 60 locations across states including Georgia, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia. Some closures have already taken place, contributing to the company’s goal of achieving $3.6 billion in savings.

These savings are intended to be reinvested into new or enhanced stores, including the five new Harris Teeter locations. This strategy allows the company to redirect resources from underperforming areas to markets where they anticipate growth, thereby enhancing their overall service offerings.

As a result of these changes, consumers in various regions will experience differing outcomes; some will gain new Harris Teeter supermarkets while others may lose access to the brand. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of retail in response to consumer demand and market conditions.