Dive Summary:

• Kroger Co will acquire Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc in a $2.44 billion deal that includes debt, The Associated Press reports.
• The move should give Kroger's food retail operations greater access to southeastern and mid-Atlantic states in the U.S.

Dive Insight:

This acquisition comes a week after Kroger announced expansion plans at its annual shareholder meeting. Gaining a foothold in Harris Teeter's existing territory should undoubtedly aid those ambitions.