Story perspectives

Harris Teeter to Close Five Stores, Impacting 600 Jobs

6/25/2025

33 3

Summary

Story summary

Kroger-owned Harris Teeter will close five stores in Northern Virginia and Maryland by late July and August.
Affected locations include two in Arlington, one in Tysons Corner, and one in North Bethesda.
Each store employs 100-120 workers, who may transfer to other locations.
The closures align with Kroger's plan to shut down 60 underperforming stores nationwide.
This decision follows a review of store profitability after a failed merger with Albertsons.

History

Historical Context

In 2004, the Federal Trade Commission blocked Kroger's merger with Albertsons, citing competition concerns. This decision influenced Kroger's strategic growth, culminating in a 2023 plan to close 60 stores, impacting 600-720 employees in Northern Virginia and Maryland. These closures highlight ongoing challenges in the grocery sector, where profitability is increasingly scrutinized amid rising competition from retailers like Amazon Fresh and Walmart.

1 of 2

Story summary

Kroger-owned Harris Teeter will close five stores in Northern Virginia and Maryland by late July and August.
Affected locations include two in Arlington, one in Tysons Corner, and one in North Bethesda.
Each store employs 100-120 workers, who may transfer to other locations.
The closures align with Kroger's plan to shut down 60 underperforming stores nationwide.
This decision follows a review of store profitability after a failed merger with Albertsons.

1 / 2