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I have read several articles recently speculating Ingles could be Kroger's next acquisition. That would be a great way for Kroger to grow Harris Teeter like they say they will do (a lot of infill in the Western Carolinas for HT) or you never know Ingles could sell off stores in some markets like Greenville/Spartanburg to Kroger for a Harris Teeter expansion. All just speculation but will be interesting to see if M&A activity continues this year in the grocery industry.
I do not know if Ingle's Markets would be willing to sell out to Kroger. If that happened, Ingle's would lose half its stores since they coexist with Kroger in the Atlanta market. On the other hand, Ingle's has been modeling its stores off Kroger in recent years with drive through pharmacies and fuel centers.
Here are the rankings based on market share in markets where Kroger and Ingle's coexist.
I have read several articles recently speculating Ingles could be Kroger's next acquisition. That would be a great way for Kroger to grow Harris Teeter like they say they will do (a lot of infill in the Western Carolinas for HT) or you never know Ingles could sell off stores in some markets like Greenville/Spartanburg to Kroger for a Harris Teeter expansion. All just speculation but will be interesting to see if M&A activity continues this year in the grocery industry.
I certainly hope not - we had Kroger when I lived in East TN and it was my second least favorite grocery store, just narrowly edging out Bi-Lo-Sell-Hi.
I certainly hope not - we had Kroger when I lived in East TN and it was my second least favorite grocery store, just narrowly edging out Bi-Lo-Sell-Hi.
Bi-Lo and Winn Dixie both withdrew from eastern Tennessee. Their remaining operations were picked up by Food City.
In addition to store 239 in Anderson, Ingle's is adding pharmacy departments at stores 72 (Kingsport, Tennessee) and 449 (Thomaston, Georgia).
Bi-Lo and Winn Dixie both withdrew from eastern Tennessee. Their remaining operations were picked up by Food City.
In addition to store 239 in Anderson, Ingle's is adding pharmacy departments at stores 72 (Kingsport, Tennessee) and 449 (Thomaston, Georgia).
Most of the Bi-Lo stores in East TN had at one time been Red Food stores. Once Bi-Lo- took over, the customer service went to Walmart-like levels while the prices seemed to increase. Food Lion seemed to out-compete Winn-Dixie in that market.
Food City came into the Knoxville market when they bought White's in the late 80s, and then bought out some of the Winn-Dixie, and Bi-Lo stores as they each left the market. Food City has higher prices but they tend to offer a better level of service, something Bi-Lo seems unable to figure out. If you can't beat Wal-Mart on prices, you have to beat them at something else like quality of food or better service.
Most of the Bi-Lo stores in East TN had at one time been Red Food stores. Once Bi-Lo- took over, the customer service went to Walmart-like levels while the prices seemed to increase. Food Lion seemed to out-compete Winn-Dixie in that market.
Food City came into the Knoxville market when they bought White's in the late 80s, and then bought out some of the Winn-Dixie, and Bi-Lo stores as they each left the market. Food City has higher prices but they tend to offer a better level of service, something Bi-Lo seems unable to figure out. If you can't beat Wal-Mart on prices, you have to beat them at something else like quality of food or better service.
I agree. When I lived in Knoxville I loved the Food City Deli/Bakery in Bearden. I always went their for Sunday hot meals in their deli. All of the Ingles markets seemed to be on the outskirts of Knoxville. It took a while for the Walmart's in Knoxville to expand into supercenters and add groceries so Kroger and FoodCity were the top dogs. I remember when BI-LO swooped in around 1998 and opened a flagship store across from WestTown mall and spent tons of money practically rebuiding the old Red Food Stores. BI-LO was owned by Ahold then. Seemed like they had money to burn then and were trying to take on new markets further north like Knoxville and Winston-Salem NC. I believe they built some stores on the outskirts of Nashville too. After BI-LO was sold it seemed like they retreated from all that expansion.
I agree. When I lived in Knoxville I loved the Food City Deli/Bakery in Bearden. I always went their for Sunday hot meals in their deli. All of the Ingles markets seemed to be on the outskirts of Knoxville. It took a while for the Walmart's in Knoxville to expand into supercenters and add groceries so Kroger and FoodCity were the top dogs. I remember when BI-LO swooped in around 1998 and opened a flagship store across from WestTown mall and spent tons of money practically rebuiding the old Red Food Stores. BI-LO was owned by Ahold then. Seemed like they had money to burn then and were trying to take on new markets further north like Knoxville and Winston-Salem NC. I believe they built some stores on the outskirts of Nashville too. After BI-LO was sold it seemed like they retreated from all that expansion.
I wonder if this is evident of Ingle's not having stores within the actual parts of Atlanta and Greenville. If Ingle's can get into the city with some stores, they would have additional opportunities to compete with Kroger and Publix.
Bi-Lo's best years were under the ownership of Ahold. They were constantly growing and making wise decisions 15 years ago. Under Lone Star Funds, you see many good stores in new markets close to retreating, increased competition and a steady flow of stores closing each year. In the present, Southeastern Grocers, the holding company of Bi-Lo and Winn Dixie, is a conglomerate of two bankrupt chains, three chains (Harvey's, Reid's and Sweetbay) acquired from an owner (Delhaize America) of another failing chain (Food Lion) and low performing stores acquired from a failing franchisee (Piggly Wiggly Carolina).
Back to Ingle's, does anyone think they own the land behind store 29 (7616 Augusta Road, Piedmont)? At some point I can see the location being replaced with a new and larger location.
Greenville needs a Harris Teeter or Kroger. I think they would do well in the area. One in the Five Forks/Woodruff Road area would do well. Maybe replacing Bi-LO with a Kroger would look better.
Greenville needs a Harris Teeter or Kroger. I think they would do well in the area. One in the Five Forks/Woodruff Road area would do well. Maybe replacing Bi-LO with a Kroger would look better.
I wonder how much the new Ingles will be improved in Mauldin. We stick with Publix and Bi-Lo there. The existing Ingles is not appealing for a grocery store and my wife has had numerous problems with clientele so we stopped bothering to shop there altogether.
I wonder how much the new Ingles will be improved in Mauldin. We stick with Publix and Bi-Lo there. The existing Ingles is not appealing for a grocery store and my wife has had numerous problems with clientele so we stopped bothering to shop there altogether.
Some of their newer design stores are as nice or nicer than Publix. Many of the stores in the Asheville area have a Starbucks inside with a really nice deli and separate bakery. I've also seen quite a few Ingles with beer and wine sections that rival those found in specialty beer and wine stores.
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