Why Kroger agreed to sell Harris Teeter stores in Northern Virginia

Photo byMike Kalasnik

Grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons are trying to get approval for a merger. To address antitrust concerns raised by state and federal regulators, the companies agreed to sell assets to C&S Wholesale Grocers, the parent company of Piggly Wiggly.

On Tuesday, the companies revealed which stores, plants, and distribution centers are in the divestment plan.

There are 579 stores to be sold across 19 states, including three Harris Teeter locations in Northern Virginia at:

• 735 N Saint Asaph St., Alexandria
• 2425 N Harrison St., Arlington
• 105 Purcellville Gateway Dr, Purcellville

These are the only assets in Virginia that are slated to be divested as part of this deal. But there is a Harris Teeter in DC’s Navy Yard and four in Maryland that are also slated for sale.

All eight of the Harris Teeter stores are non-union, according to UFCW 400. And although the union said no stores in the states it represents are on the list, the union made clear it remains opposed “to this disaster deal for the negative impact it will have on our members, customers and communities.”

“The proposed merger is being challenged in federal court by the Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of eight states, including Maryland and the District of Columbia. It is also being challenged in state court by the attorneys general of Colorado and Washington. Those hearings are set to begin soon and it will be up to the judges to decide if this merger can go through,” UFCW said in a statement.

In April, Rodney McMullen, Kroger's Chairman and CEO, said the divestiture ensures no stores will close due to the merger.

“All frontline associates will remain employed, all existing collective bargaining agreements will continue, and associates will continue to receive industry-leading health care and pension benefits alongside bargained-for wages,” he said.

He also added, “Our proposed merger with Albertsons will bring lower prices and more choices to more customers and secure the long-term future of unionized grocery jobs."

The companies’ trial is in August, and they have already started notifying staff at affected locations, Bloomberg reported this week.

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