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2:17 a.m. • 6-19-13

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Harris Teeter

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Harris Teeter shoppers vent about possible sale

By Faye Prosser

Posted: February 13
Updated: February 14

Tags: Deals, Restaurant, Freebies

The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported that Harris Teeter is considering putting itself up for sale. What will this mean for all of the loyal Harris Teeter shoppers out there? Well that depends on who buys the chain.

Reuters reported that Kroger and Publix would likely be interested in the Matthews, NC-based grocer. Publix has just entered the Charlotte market with stores in South Carolina and Kroger has stores throughout North Carolina.

According to the reports, Harris Teeter shares increased 6.6% with the news of a possible sale. At this point, they have retained the financial company J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Until there is an actual buyer, there is no telling what will happen to Harris Teeter, double coupons and Super Double coupons.

As many of you posted on the blog this morning, it would be a shame to see Harris Teeter stores bought by a company that does not offer the kinds of deals we see now. But if that does happen, we'll just work that much harder to find the best deals and make ends meet.

Feel free to vent your sadness, frustration, utter hopelessness (just kidding) and general thoughts on the possible sale of Harris Teeter.

Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More Posts from this Blog

Harris Teeter Super Doubles brag thread! Posted: 57 minutes ago
Harris Teeter Super Doubles list: Updated with tons of deals! Posted: 12:44 a.m. today
ALDI deals 6/19: Grapes, peaches, plums, cantaloupe, strawberries & more! Posted: 12:24 a.m. today

120 Comments

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Love Publix and Kroger, where prices seem lower to me. I don't think we'll miss much bidding adieu to HT.

kdawg
February 13, 2013 3:51 p.m.

"..utter hopelessness..." LOL

Competition is a good thing and HT sets the bar, imo, when it comes to customer service, sales and coupon policy as well as maintaining quality produce & meats. Would sure hate to see them go!!

grafted
February 13, 2013 3:49 p.m.

If HT closes, I will be visiting the farmers market and Aldi more. I guess I will have to suck up the extra price or watch for really good specials at Whole Foods and Earth Fare for meat and seafood. Right now, Harris Teeter is the only place I go for meat, chicken, and seafood. It's always the freshest.

erinlikescoupons
February 13, 2013 3:44 p.m.

I would love to see Publix here!!!! "Where shopping is a pleasure!"

ashleymd52579
February 13, 2013 3:43 p.m.

Gloom, Despair, and Agony on me!!!

beths
February 13, 2013 3:36 p.m.

lori6,

I have been in that Walmart marketplace also and did not like it at all. Went again with a friend and still didn't like it. There is one opening in the old Food Lion on Harrison in Cary across from the HT, won't go there either. I found their prices to be high, sales to be so-so and selection not great and you are so right about the non-existent customer service.

scoutmomof2
February 13, 2013 3:25 p.m.

Normal part of business. If shareholders/owners can get more value by selling, good for them even if bad for us. As for tax increase isn't that in place of an income tax? Since couponers save so much this could actually be good for us!

quemaster
February 13, 2013 3:14 p.m.

I'd hate to lose Harris Teeter's coupon policy. As well, if the Republican plan to increase our grocery tax by 6% happens there's going to be a lot of families hurting in NC.

groovysus
February 13, 2013 3:08 p.m.

I would be terribly sad to see HT go. We have a Walmart Marketplace in Cary, and I've heard another one is going in a few miles away in Morrisville. The selection is not great, the produce/meat/bakery are all brought in prepackaged from other stores, and the customer service is horrendous. Prices are good, but can be beat at Harris Teeter if you stack sales and coupons.

If HT has to go, I've heard great things about Wegman's, and we've always been impressed with Publix when we vacation in Florida. But I'd much rather my Harris Teeter stay. Sigh...

lori6
February 13, 2013 2:53 p.m.

Faye I agree with you completely. It does take time to clip and organize coupons, but you are rewarded when you shop a HT. I have saved more money by shopping HT than I could at any other grocery store. Thanks to YOU for showing me how to use coupons and sales together. You are the greatest. Keep up the good work.

swbjfb
February 13, 2013 2:53 p.m.

"But we will survive and we'll definitely all work together to find the next best thing..."

Well said, smolder. :-)

Thanks, Packy.

Faye Prosser - Smart Shopper
February 13, 2013 2:38 p.m.

I will also be very upset and at a loss for where to shop if we lose the unparalleled customer service and great sales available at HT. But we will survive and we'll definitely all work together to find the next best thing...

smolder13
February 13, 2013 2:34 p.m.

well said, Faye. :)

Packy
February 13, 2013 2:33 p.m.

Say it ain't so!!! Yes they are pricier but it is worth it some days to shop with friendly, helpful staff. The express lane service is amazing and I love many of the HT brands. I will be very sad if this happens.

sgmorris13
February 13, 2013 1:51 p.m.

truthBknown2 - you asked why we are all upset at the prospect of HT leaving. For those of us who take the time to coupon, they actually have lower prices than most other stores for the items that are on sale when there is also a coupon that doubles to go with the sale.

For instance, this week, you can get free Green Giant veggie chips, .24 Mccormick spices, $1.49/lb asparagus (nobody can touch that this week in our area that I can see and it's not even a coupon item), chicken leg quarters for .69/lb (also not a coupon item), Greek yogurt cups for .50 each, Campbells soup for .33, Progresso soup for .49. It is rare that the "low-priced" stores can match the sales/ double coupon combo that HT offers every week.

I welcome you to start reading this blog and see the weekly deals HT offers. If saving at the grocery store is important to you, the HT deals might just convince you to start cutting a few coupons.

Thanks to all for stopping in to offer comments. I see many new faces here!

Faye Prosser - Smart Shopper
February 13, 2013 1:51 p.m.

thomasrd1,

Since there were rumors of Publix coming into the area I have been following their ads and I find them high in price also. Most of the 1 cent deals wouldn't get me in the store and their coupon policy is not great either.

I really do not want to lose my HT!!

scoutmomof2
February 13, 2013 1:44 p.m.

Now that we have a HT on every corner, I wonder how many empty stores will blight our communities. HT is the only grocery store chain (TJ & WF excluded) where the employees treat the customers with friendliness and respect. Not so at Kroger or Publix. Will shop exclusively at the Farmer's Market - and be healthier because of it. Sometimes "deals" aren't "deals" when it comes to food. pmck

Give me a break, HT has good employees and bad employees just like every other business. I've been in a couple of stores where the employees push in front of the customer looking for something to stock a shelf instead of letting the customer find the product they want and get out of the way. Plus they are obnoxiously expensive, which is how they pay for those double and triple coupons.

carolinarox
February 13, 2013 1:07 p.m.

I would love to see Rochester, N.Y.'s Wegmans replace Harrris Teeter. Their stores are so similar. Publix does not carry a wide variety of name brand items. They stock a lot of their store brands.

suedonryan
February 13, 2013 1:02 p.m.

HT just remodeled the entire store in N. Raleigh! What a shame. I'm sure the employees are beginning to worry about their jobs too.

C6-YA
February 13, 2013 12:54 p.m.

Anyone have experience with publix?? How is it??

romneycare
February 13, 2013 12:52 p.m.

Nakabi...also the save a lot in durham (the one i shop at) does not charge u a quarter for your cart and the bags are free, unlike aldi and even the save a lots up north (they charge .10 per bag but the carts are free)

juanitasmith2
February 13, 2013 12:52 p.m.

Nakabi as someone who frequents save a lot I find them to be better than aldi when it comes to most things. Save a lot has more name brand products than aldi, the produce doesn't spoil as quickly and save a lot accepts manufacturers coupons (although they do not double). Before save a lot came along i often shopped at Aldi and was never happy with the quality of their produce and the fact that the small number of name brand products that they do have are the same price if not more than the price you would find it at LF or HT....not to mention Aldi doesn't accept coupons.

juanitasmith2
February 13, 2013 12:48 p.m.

No, NO, NO, PLEASE don't do this to us, your loyal customers, HT!!!

jma47
February 13, 2013 12:43 p.m.

I left a message on their facebook site, on their website and emailed them. I use to dread grocery shopping, but they actually make it a pleasant experience.

chipper4800
February 13, 2013 12:43 p.m.

Now that we have a HT on every corner, I wonder how many empty stores will blight our communities. HT is the only grocery store chain (TJ & WF excluded) where the employees treat the customers with friendliness and respect. Not so at Kroger or Publix. Will shop exclusively at the Farmer's Market - and be healthier because of it. Sometimes "deals" aren't "deals" when it comes to food.

pmck
February 13, 2013 12:40 p.m.

This news really saddens me!!!:( I love HT!! I pray that this not true!!!!!!

JustSoGrateful
February 13, 2013 12:38 p.m.

That would be a shame. While I always loved Publix, I was shocked at really how much more expensive they are when I went home over Christmas. They don't honor B1G1 = 1/2 price for one...made that costly mistake two years ago (maybe that's changed, but I know for a fact that the .01 deal is honored at some stores only if you buy their Wednesday flyer/newsletter) and my mom, who was so thrilled with a Publix opening up in her small town, has switched back to their small Food Lion across the street and travels twenty miles to the nearest HT for their meat, due to lack of quality.

It'll be interesting to watch...but after horrible customer service at Lowes, I've fallen in love with my small HT all over again and all of their employees. I just sent them an email last week commending them on their customer service. Hopefully, if they do sell, they will keep as many stores open so there will be less of an impact on their employees.

thomasrd1
February 13, 2013 12:34 p.m.

@ truthBknown2 I don't know any other grocery store that doubles coupons **As often** as HT does... atleast not in the raleigh area..... it's lowes food every now and then .. but if they sell, i'm sure we can all work together and find some GOOD deals!

romneycare
February 13, 2013 12:29 p.m.

Who owns HT? Maybe they want out of the grocery business. Maybe their financials are not doing well despite all the coupons. Or maybe they are fishing around to see what share prices they might get with a sale.

cspeed55
February 13, 2013 12:22 p.m.

Dont understand the uproar...highest grocery prices around?

truthBknown2
February 13, 2013 12:11 p.m.

Sent in my "please don't leave us" email and got this reply... We are experiencing a high volume of emails. We will respond as soon as we possibly can. Thank you for your patience.

mytrish
February 13, 2013 12:04 p.m.

Another victim of the economy...would hate to see them go...

fouroakstwins2
February 13, 2013 11:55 a.m.

Sent in my comments also.

scoutmomof2
February 13, 2013 11:29 a.m.

I'll be sending them an email today. packy-glad you got them and were able to use them.

for those of you who shop at Aldi & at Save a Lot-which is better/or cheaper?

nakabi
February 13, 2013 11:21 a.m.

sent my 2cents into corporate. Hope they re-consider!

romneycare
February 13, 2013 11:17 a.m.

Gonna send an email tonight after work!

juanitasmith2
February 13, 2013 11:16 a.m.

I just emailed their corporate office asking them please do not sell our Harris Teeter. Maybe if they get enough emails, they will reconsider. Hope to get a reply.

swbjfb
February 13, 2013 10:53 a.m.

I really hope that they don't sell! I get my best deals at HT. I guess if they do we will have to look for bargains elsewhere like Faye said.

carelesswhisper
February 13, 2013 10:52 a.m.

this blows my mind...go in HT on a Saturday.. I did that once. ONCE. That place is crazy. And their customer service? Unparalleled!

Nakabi, I used the RC for the crockpot liners and LF this past week when they were on sale. Got all 4 boxes with coupons. Thanks again. :)

Packy
February 13, 2013 10:48 a.m.

nakabi, I already wrote to them on their website. Maybe we need to start a petition.

jnander2
February 13, 2013 10:47 a.m.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo don't do it HT!!!!! We love you!

Perhaps if everyone on the blog emailed corporate???

nakabi
February 13, 2013 10:45 a.m.

I LOVE PUBLIX Especially there subs! Oh an by the way every week they have an item on sale for .01 cents. That's right a penny!

mhdeland
February 13, 2013 10:43 a.m.

I hope not b/c my hubby works there :( I hate Kroger and refuse to shop there. I don't know anything about publix.

prisskat
February 13, 2013 10:39 a.m.

This would be terrible unless a store like Wegman's bouth them. Wegman's from up North is very similar to the HTs here. They are actually bigger & provide even more services. That would be the only way this 'sale' would be a good thing.

NCGoalieMom
February 13, 2013 10:35 a.m.

How in the world would Kroger be able to buy them?? They have been closing alltheir store as of late!

swirlgirl027
February 13, 2013 10:33 a.m.

This is so depressing! We are finally getting a HT in Goldsboro, and now they might sell!! I sure hope they don't. I really love HT and it will be the primary store for me!

watchhillgirl
February 13, 2013 10:23 a.m.

Im with you on that chipper!!!!

juanitasmith2
February 13, 2013 10:16 a.m.

I guess if the rumor is true that they are possibly selling and the rumor that SD's starts next week, I will definitely be doing some super stocking with long expiration dates. Please don't go away Harris Teeter!

trichardson0621
February 13, 2013 10:13 a.m.

This will change everything if it happens. The reason I do not shop at Kroger and Walmart is because they have lousy service and do not deserve my business. I will go to Aldi and others

heremeaj
February 13, 2013 10:13 a.m.

Maybe we should start a friendly petition asking them to stay "My Harris Teeter".

chipper4800
February 13, 2013 10:07 a.m.

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