Dive Brief:
- Harris Teeter has started offering a selection of prepared food items for $5 each on weekdays at certain stores in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia, the chain announced Wednesday.
- The offerings vary by day and will be available in limited quantities for an unspecified period.
- The program gives Harris Teeter an opportunity to highlight its efforts to keep prices for prepared foods down as costs have soared at fast food and quick-service restaurants.
Dive Insight:
Harris Teeter is looking to position its “$5 Meal Days” program as an affordable alternative to restaurants — many of which are losing business as inflation-battered customers visit less often.
“As the cost of dining out continues to rise, Harris Teeter is committed to providing its customers with the freshest and highest-quality products at unbeatable prices to enjoy with family and friends,” the Kroger-owned banner said in a statement.
The items the grocer is offering are “easy on your wallet and easy to pair with additional Harris Teeter Fresh Foods Market items for a convenient and inexpensive weeknight meal,” the company added.
Options include whole pizzas on Mondays, deli green salads on Wednesdays, and fried and baked chicken on Thursdays.
Harris Teeter, which runs about 260 stores in eight East Coast states, is limiting the program to nine stores in Arlington, McLean, Alexandria and Falls Church, Virginia, and three locations in Washington, D.C. Shoppers must be enrolled in the retailer’s loyalty program to access the deals.
The meal deal offering comes as rival Giant Food has grown its selection of prepared and made-to-order food options. Giant Food has had a $10 family meal deal, which includes an entree and two sides, for several years. Harris Teeter and Giant Food’s efforts are part of a larger push by food retailers to promote value across their foodservice departments.
