Kroger’s $1.7 billion takeover of Giant Eagle and ongoing cost-cutting has killed a reported plan to expand its Harris Teeter chain into Florida with as many as 80 stores, reports say.
Officials with the Cincinnati-based supermarket giant declined to discuss current or former expansion plans in the Sunshine State beyond a new Harris Teeter store slated to open early next year in Jacksonville. They added they “remain committed” to serving customers at the single Harris Teeter location in Fernandina Beach in the northern edge of the state.
“We only comment on locations where we are currently operating or have executed lease agreements,” Kroger said in a statement. “Beyond those locations, we do not comment on potential sites or real estate speculation, though we routinely evaluate opportunities that support our long-term business objectives.”
Kroger was eyeing Florida expansion with Harris Teeter, executive said
In April, Harris Teeter president Tammy DeBoer told the Jacksonville Daily Record the grocer was “looking at key markets throughout the state.”
But a month after newly-minted Kroger CEO Greg Foran reiterated he plans to fund lower grocery prices by cutting costs, the Tampa Bay Times in Florida reported the supermarket company was scrapping plans to grow its Harris Teeter brand deeper into Florida.
This is another setback for Kroger in Florida, two years after it announced it would pare back its planned network of robotic home delivery warehouses, including one in South Florida.
Kroger has other plans
The change of plans also comes weeks after Kroger announced on July 1 it plans to acquire Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle.
Kroger operates nearly 2,700 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia, including 77 in Greater Cincinnati. The company employs 403,000 workers, including nearly 20,000 in the Greater Cincinnati region.
The retailer operates stores under the Kroger banner name as well as Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, Dillons, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Fry’s, QFC and others.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kroger scraps Florida expansion amid merger, cuts, report says
Reporting by Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
