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I noticed that the stores near High House are not that busy. I really don't know how Lowes can support a location at Cornerstone and Preston Corners. The Kroger on 55/High House closed just a few months ago.
I moved here from Austin about a year ago and was amazed at a few things related to grocery stores:
1) # of big chains: Harris Teeter, Kroger's, Lowe's, Food Lion are all strong players here. In texas we had one big player (HEB) and two smaller (Albertson's and [SIZE=3]Tom Thumb)[/SIZE]
2) # of stores: Here in cary (high house area) there are so many stores and most of the time they are really, really empty considering the amount of perishables.
3) PRICES!: Yes, I know that food prices spiked due to oil, but many staples have not gone back down to their pre-oil prices (Milk for instance).
So, with the economy having its issues wondering what you think will happen to the grocery store business?
My guess? Grocery store closings and hopefully more price competition. For instance, Harris Teeter is almost as crazy expensive as Whole Foods and IMHO neither warrrant that amount of $.
I wouldn't be surprised if Food Lion goes under - but then again they are the only store in many rural communities.. so who knows?
I say this b/c their prices are AWFUL... considering they were once considered the "low price leader."
I doubt that considering Food Lion is the main chain in most small towns it is North Carolina base and carries alot of NC produce. Same for Harris Teeter it North Carolina base it not going no where. They may cut back on their out of state stores similar how Winn Dixie did. People shop these stores because they have a reason. Food Lion has been around for a long time it use to be called Food Town
I doubt that considering Food Lion is the main chain in most small towns it is North Carolina base and carries alot of NC produce. Same for Harris Teeter it North Carolina base it not going no where. They may cut back on their out of state stores similar how Winn Dixie did. People shop these stores because they have a reason. Food Lion has been around for a long time it use to be called Food Town
It's always been intriguing, the perception that many have on the Food Lion chain. Harris Teeter definitely appeals and markets to certain crowds, but there is a place for both chains and as you said, Food Lion isn't going anywhere.
For the record, it seems to me that Kroger was on a decline years before this current recession.
I would say that our area is already in the middle of a grocery store shakeout. When all is said and done, I expect Wal-Mart, Harris Teeter, and Food Lion to wind up as the only major players in the market.
Near High House, didn't the Kroger on Hwy 55 already close? I think the one-two-three punches of HT at McCrimmon/Davis and Cornerstone/High House opening in the past 3 years plus all the terrible construction traffic on Davis killed it. Actually Kroger kind of seems to be pulling out of the Triangle market, or at least Cary. There used to be a store at Maynard/Kildare Farm but that closed too.
Lowe's Foods at Buck Jones/Walnut also closed.
I would say that the stores near High House were built in anticipation of the huge new subdivisions planned in West Cary. Development did get started out there - but it slowed or stalled due the economy, so now as of 2008 the market is overbuilt with enormous high end grocery stores compared with how many residents there are. That area was definitely due for a shakeout, and the Kroger is probably just the first. Will one of the Lowe's Foods be next?
We have four harris Teeter stores within about 3 miles of our home. I go to two of them on a fairly regular basis and they are almost always slow. I was wondering the same thing, if they will all stay open. I predict 2 of them will close.
It took me awhile to realize that all Harris Teeters are not created equal. They really vary in size and quality. The new one on Tryon Road is fabulous, and some are not much better than your garden variety Food Lion.
I have noticed a lot more sales lately. Harris Teeter does way more triple coupon sales than they used to. I was really surprised when they opened up a new one down the street in 2008. They still have the old one open less than a mile down the road.
H-T is opening up a two story store at North Hills East later this year. Not sure what the plans are for the existing NH Teeter, but it would be a great spot for a Fresh Market.
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