<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lakeland, FL-</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">3.7.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/publix-harris-teeter-rumor-dispelled-banner.jpg" alt="PUBLIX - IMAGES" />Publix is rumored to have interest in acquiring Harris Teeter, but the likelihood of such an event is appearing to be less and less likely.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Representatives for Lakeland-based Super Markets Inc. continue to dismiss rumors that the company would consider purchasing Matthews, N.C.-based Harris Teeter. Furthermore, one supermarket analyst said such a deal would be out of character for Publix, which has been known for its slow and steady approach to growth, according to TheLedger.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"They are just so conservative and so fiscally smart, I just don't see them taking that kind of risk," said David Livingston, a Wisconsin-based supermarket analyst and consultant.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Harris Teeter has multiple locations in states that are out of Publix's Southeastern U.S. operating area. Livingston says he doesn't think Publix would want to absorb a large number of workers who are unfamiliar with Publix culture - Harris Teeter has more than 25,000 employees.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"That's just so many employees to convert to their philosophy," said Livingston, of DJL Research. "It's like converting Baptists to Catholics."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">More importantly, Livingston said Publix has never been one to make overly risky moves or buy out large competitors. The North Carolina expansion is Publix's first push into a new state since the grocer expanded to Tennessee in 2002. To date, Publix has just 34 stores in Tennessee.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Officials with Harris Teeter recently confirmed that the 208-store chain will consider offers from potential buyers. With a market value of over $2 billion, and the company should receive first-round bids by mid-March or later, according to Bloomberg.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">A February report from Reuters said large grocery chains, such as Publix and Kroger, would likely consider purchasing Harris Teeter, but Publix representatives brushed off that idea.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Analysts have also noted Dutch retailer Royal Ahold NV as a likely buyer for Harris Teeter, given the company's desire to expand into southern U.S. markets.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">An Ahold spokewoman declined to comment on the rumors. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.theledger.com/article/20130304/NEWS/130309688/1001/news36?p=all&tc=pgall&tc=ar" target="_new">Publix Update</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
