Kroger’s decided the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., market is too saturated, and is selling its 14 stores in the region.
The majority of the stores are selling to Kroger’s own banner, Harris Teeter, according to an article in the News & Observer. Kroger purchased Harris Teeter in 2014.
“After a thorough evaluation of the market for a significant time period, we have decided to close our stores in the highly competitive Raleigh-Durham market,” said Jerry Clontz, president of Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.’s mid-Atlantic division, in a statement. “While we have had some success, we have not been able to grow our business the way we would like in this market.”
In related news, Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans broke ground on its first of three planned stores in North Carolina in October, and expects to open the store in 2019, according to local reports. Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets also has invested heavily in expansion in the North Carolina market over the past few years, with three new stores opened, or expected to open in May and June 2018.
These are the stores selling to Harris Teeter:
- 202 W. NC 54, Durham
- 3457 Hillsborough Road, Durham
- 5116 N. Roxboro Road in Durham
- 1273 N.W. Maynard Road in Cary
- 8345 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh
- 940 U.S. 64 in Apex
- 1802 North Point Dr., Durham
- 1371 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina
Sales pending:
- 6300 Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh, to Crunch Fitness
- 7905 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh, to Food Lion
Still up for sale:
- 2680 Timber Drive, Garner
- 350 Six Forks Road, Raleigh
- 3420 Southwest Durham Dr., Durham
- 3825 S. Roxboro St., Durham