Harris Teeter/Kroger integration

[BatteryMill]

Some observations I've made of post-Kroger HT:

• *Prior to the merger, Harris Teeter locations would have endcap price markers, reading "VIC SAVINGS ON EVERY AISLE". These have been replaced with generic ads reflecting the "new lower prices" mantra. Stores opened after the merger have phrases such as "always the best price" and "freshness guaranteed" in block lettering on said fixture. I cannot tell if such a practice was discontinued by HT's corporate parent.
  *I've only seen one Kroger product end up at Harris Teeter thus far.
  *For the holidays, the Gift Card Mall had a paper slip with Kroger's "Fresh for Everyone" ad campaign.
  *The gradual phasing out of their signature 24-hour operation was likely a Kroger-influenced move, and in tandem with its sister chains from what I've heard.

I'll admit the ads are a bit tacky, but it is nice to see the chain stay true to itself even if it is under a large corporate parent.

Looks like the price markers on endcaps are back, again advertising VIC card deals, but with a different style than before. I do not know if these are being used at other Kroger divisions or if they are giving Harris Teeter some of their own liberties once more.

[BatteryMill]

As Kroger-Albertsons talks swirl, Kroger integration continues at Harris Teeter: seems as if at least one store is getting a Murray's cheese shop (Kroger subsidiary). I do not know if this is chainwide, or how far the branding will go.

[1111072036]

As Kroger-Albertsons talks swirl, Kroger integration continues at Harris Teeter: seems as if at least one store is getting a Murray's cheese shop (Kroger subsidiary). I do not know if this is chainwide, or how far the branding will go.

Harris Teeter has had the Murray’s program since 2021, when it was introduced in the two Greenville, SC stores. A couple of NC stores have also had their kiosks changed over to Murray’s since then. The art-deco Plaza Midwood store in Charlotte for sure has one.

[BatteryMill]

As Kroger-Albertsons talks swirl, Kroger integration continues at Harris Teeter: seems as if at least one store is getting a Murray's cheese shop (Kroger subsidiary). I do not know if this is chainwide, or how far the branding will go.

Harris Teeter has had the Murray’s program since 2021, when it was introduced in the two Greenville, SC stores. A couple of NC stores have also had their kiosks changed over to Murray’s since then. The art-deco Plaza Midwood store in Charlotte for sure has one.

I wonder how much this changes the look of the overall look of the cheese counter at these stores. I don't mind these changes but I hope this doesn't go chainwide.

[jdb820]

As Kroger-Albertsons talks swirl, Kroger integration continues at Harris Teeter: seems as if at least one store is getting a Murray's cheese shop (Kroger subsidiary). I do not know if this is chainwide, or how far the branding will go.

That was my post in one of the Discords and the location in question would be Raleigh - North Ridge. Given how Raleigh and Charlotte are in different divisions it makes me wonder if NoVA/DC/MD/DE are getting some too.

[storewanderer]

Murray's is a good program. It takes a bit of labor investment at the store level but the stuff has a rather long shelf life and it does draw in customers. Little waste. This is an example of a Kroger program that is far better developed than anything Safeway/Albertsons has and will be a hit in many of the merged stores when added to them. This type of concept is far more profitable than a labor intensive and shrink heavy overpriced sandwich bar or a wing bar- things Safeway and Albertsons, respectively, liked more than they should have and invested more deli effort in than they should have.

I think Harris Teeter already had a fairly extensive cheese assortment in its nicer stores, but pulling in the Murray program will better highlight these items and present/display them better. And since this is HT in HT original territory, the execution will be top of the line.