Harris Teeter to Launch Five New Supermarkets in Southeast US

Harris Teeter, a supermarket chain owned by Kroger, has officially announced plans to open five new locations across Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This expansion comes despite Kroger’s ongoing strategy to close several stores nationwide. The new supermarkets will be established in Jacksonville, Florida; Kannapolis and Clemson, North Carolina; and Lake Wylie and Fort Mill, South Carolina.

The company confirmed that the new stores are part of a broader long-term growth strategy. The openings are expected to occur within the next couple of years, with construction on the stores in Lake Wylie and Fort Mill set to begin soon, while the other three locations are anticipated to break ground in 2026.

Details of the New Locations

Each of the five new Harris Teeter supermarkets will be designed with modern features and amenities. All locations will include a drive-thru pharmacy and a gas station, and they will boast contemporary decor that distinguishes them from older stores. Customers can expect expanded fresh food sections, a dedicated Murry’s Cheese island, fresh pizza offerings, and an Asian hot bar.

Three of the new locations—Jacksonville, Lake Wylie, and Fort Mill—will also feature a full-service wine and beer bar, enhancing the shopping experience beyond that of a typical grocery store. The Kannapolis and Clemson stores will be approximately 53,000 square feet, while the Jacksonville, Lake Wylie, and Fort Mill stores will be larger, at around 61,000 square feet. Notably, this will mark the first Harris Teeter locations in Jacksonville, Clemson, Lake Wylie, and Kannapolis, while the Fort Mill store will expand the existing footprint in that area.

Danna Robinson, the Director of Corporate Affairs and Customer Relations for Harris Teeter, stated, “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.”

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The expansion is expected to generate significant employment opportunities. Each new store will create between 100 and 200 jobs across various roles, including customer service, pharmacy, fresh foods, fuel stations, and store management.

In addition to job creation, Harris Teeter and its parent company Kroger are promoting online shopping and delivery services. Customers can take advantage of same-day delivery through Instacart for a fee of $6.95, with orders over $10 eligible for delivery within 30 minutes in some cases. New customers can also benefit from a $15 discount on their first delivery order of $75 or more.

The brand has garnered a loyal following, with some consumers expressing strong preferences for Harris Teeter over competitors like Aldi, demonstrating the supermarket’s value to local communities.

Restructuring Amid Closures

The announcement of these new stores aligns with Kroger’s strategic restructuring. Over the next 18 months, Kroger plans to close approximately 60 locations across several states, including Georgia, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia. This decision is part of a broader initiative to reallocate resources towards areas with greater potential for growth.

According to company executives, the savings from these closures, estimated at $3.6 billion, will be reinvested into new or improved store locations. The five new Harris Teeter supermarkets represent a significant component of this growth strategy, aiming to enhance the shopping experience for consumers in these expanding markets.

As these developments unfold, shoppers in the affected areas will experience changes to their local grocery options, with some gaining new Harris Teeter locations while others face store closures.