In the Southeast of the U.S., a Kroger-owned supermarket chain is getting ready to grow. While its parent company continues to close other locations across the nation, Harris Teeter has announced plans to open five new stores in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The new supermarkets will be built in Clemson, Lake Wylie, and Fort Mill, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; and Kannapolis, North Carolina.
The stores will open “over the next couple of years,” according to the company, which has already stated that these openings are a part of a long-term plan. Harris Teeter announced earlier this year that it would close two locations in Arlington, Virginia, explaining the decision as a corporate one. The reasoning behind the openings is the same: what’s best for the business.
Where the new stores will open and what they’ll offer
All five of the new Harris Teeter supermarkets will be brand-new and have certain things in common. Every store must have a drive-thru pharmacy, a gas station, and more modern décor than older locations. There will be more fresh food sections, a dedicated Murry’s Cheese island, fresh pizza, and an Asian hot bar inside.
A full-service wine and beer bar will be available at three of the locations—Jacksonville, Lake Wylie, and Fort Mill—making them a bit different from typical grocery stores. These areas are designed to give customers an extra “experience” when they pick up their weekly supplies.
The company affirms that each of the stores in Kannapolis and Clemson will be about 53,000 square feet. The locations in Jacksonville, Lake Wylie, and Fort Mill will have more space—around 61,000 square feet. These will be the first Harris Teeter shops in Jacksonville, Clemson, Lake Wylie, and Kannapolis. The new store will expand the Harris Teeter footprint in Fort Mill, which already exists there.
“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.” stated Danna Robinson, the chain’s director of corporate affairs and customer relations.
The Lake Wylie and Fort Mill stores will soon begin construction, while the other two are scheduled to begin in 2026.
Jobs, services and online ordering
Besides selling groceries, the five new supermarkets are expected to bring in jobs. According to company, each store will create between 100 and 200 jobs, including positions in customer service, pharmacy, fresh foods, fuel stations, and store management.
Online shopping and delivery are still being promoted by Kroger and Harris Teeter. Customers can pay $6.95 for same-day delivery within two hours through Instacart. If the order total is at least $10, some orders can be delivered in 30 minutes or less. Also, new customers can receive a $15 discount on their first delivery order of $75 or more.
The chain has a devoted following on social media. The fact that some consumers have even gone so far as to say that Harris Teeter is “better than Aldi” shows how strongly some consumers feel about the company.
Closures, investment and what it means for shoppers
The announcement of the expansion matches with Kroger’s general restructuring. Over the next 18 months, the company plans to close about 60 locations in Georgia, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia. Some have already closed their doors.
The $3.6 billion in savings, according to company executives, will go toward new or improved stores. The plan is to relocate resources from struggling or non-long-term-fit locations to areas where the chain thinks it may grow. This change includes the five new Harris Teeter locations in Jacksonville, Clemson, Kannapolis, Lake Wylie, and Fort Mill.
Depending on where they reside, consumers will be affected differently; they will be either loosing or winning a Harris Teeter.