Kroger exiting Greenville, NC

[storewanderer]

http://www.reflector.com/news/harris-te ... ger-155200

[krogerclerk]

This store opened around 1999 or 2000 as a replacement for a Kroger Sav-on located on Greenville Blvd that dated from the late 70's-early 80's. Kroger lacks critical mass in Eastern North Carolina, being 90 miles from the Raleigh-Durham area. The Kroger in nearby Wilson, NC closed about 5 years ago, and was built during the same timeframe. The store will become the 3rd Harris-Teeter for Greenville, which also has Food Lion, Piggly Wiggly, and Walmart.

This closing doesn't bode well for the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area stores which Kroger acquired from Hannaford, but hasn't made any major investments in the area since then, while the Richmond and Raleigh-Durham stores have had major capitol expenses.

Judging from the comments left behind on several articles, most people fall into the love or hate Harris-Teeter fold, with most being disappointed that Kroger is closing. Very few expressed joy that Kroger was closing, and a few professed they like Harris-Teeter but couldn't afford to shop there. A few negative Kroger comments regarded slipping in quality over the last few years and out of date issues.

[krogerclerk]

Here's an interior shot of the Greenville store, which has a little used decor package that was in use between the teal/mauve grid and neon package and the millenium/spirit decor package. This art deco inspired decor was rarely used outside the Atlanta KMA.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/209913 ... 4508sNdLBJ

[storewanderer]

That was a Kroger decor package?

[krogerclerk]

This is the first case I know of this decor package being used outside of the Atlanta KMA, unfortunately most have already been converted to the last Ralphs inspired decor. Here we refered to this package as the Olympic Spirit decor, due to its being used in stores that first opened when the 1994 Olympics came to Atlanta and Kroger sponsored the Spirit of Atlanta blimp. While unconfirmed, I've been told the decor was used in the Houston market, and the last example I know of being built was 1999 when the millenium package was introduced.

The downtown Savannah store had this package along with 3 Alpharetta locations, a Dunwoody location, the Vinings greenhouse remodled, one in Peachtree City, and maybe Tucker. The customer service counters and other counters were dark red or hunter green depending on location and stainless steel was the other primary color. It was a natural evolution as the replacement for the mauve grid neon package which made the millenium package look like a step backwards.

[krogerclerk]

Sadly, the Greenville Kroger was a high volume unit but has had a slow down in volume over the last year. Evidently the volume loss was enough that it was no longer profitable to supply the store all the way from the Roanoke DC. Since no new competition has opened I assume the downturn in the economy may be responsible, perhaps ECU students have less disposible income or there has been a drop in enrollment.

At over 67000 s.f the store is one the largest supermarkets in North Carolina. Harris-Teeter will downsize to 53000 s.f. which for them is a large store. This will be one of H-T's few stores with a pharmacy.