US (NC): Publix not ruling out further Charlotte stores
"At Publix, we never say never," spokeswoman Brenda Reid said. Two stores are being built at the moment.
Two supermarket analysts interviewed by the Observer agreed that Publix will most directly compete with Harris Teeter when it opens, though they disagreed about whether consumers will see big benefits in terms of lower prices.
Publix is the latest retailer entrant shaking up the Charlotte grocery market. Wal-Mart recently started an aggressive price comparison campaign targeting Harris Teeter. Over the past year, Target finished adding more food and fresh meats and produce to its Charlotte stores.
Natural grocer Whole Foods opens its long-anticipated first Charlotte store near SouthPark in late summer. Food Lion is preparing to roll out a new strategy of lower prices on popular items and better produce selections to revitalize the chain.
And Harris Teeter, long the region’s dominant traditional grocer, is rebuilding or renovating some of its Charlotte stores.
"With the population growth that Charlotte has experienced over the past several years, it is no surprise that food retailers from outside the Charlotte market continue to want to make entries here," said Harris Teeter spokeswoman Catherine Reuhl. "We compete successfully with both Whole Foods and Publix in several cities, and they are both fine retailers."
Source: www.charlotteobserver.com
