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Harris Teeter dangles incentives for online grocery subscription

Fee structure updated for ExpressLane Online Shopping service

Russell Redman

January 8, 2021

2 Min Read
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Harris Teeter is offering customers new perks through annual and monthly ExpressLane Online Shopping subscriptions.Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter has ushered in an incentive-laden subscription option as part of a new fee structure for its ExpressLane Online Shopping service.

The Matthews, N.C.-based grocer, part of The Kroger Co., said yesterday that going forward it will waive the service fee on all ExpressLane pickup and delivery orders over $100 and offer a tiered service-fee structure of $4.95 for orders of $25 to $49.99 and $2.95 orders of $50 to $99.99.

Before the change to an order value-based approach, a $4.95 service fee was applied to all online grocery orders, which require a minimum purchase of $25.

Harris Teeter said it also will waive the service fee on ExpressLane orders for shoppers ages 60 and older on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offer $4.95 delivery during that time span.

ExpressLane Delivery service, not offered through all stores, carries an additional cost. On top of the service fee, delivery orders include a $9.95 delivery fee for purchases of $50 or more and an $11.95 fee for orders less than $50.

Meanwhile, Harris Teeter shoppers can receive new member-only incentives by purchasing an annual or monthly ExpressLane subscription. The memberships cost $99.95 for an annual subscription and $16.95 for a monthly subscription.

ExpressLane annual subscription members get the $25 minimum order restriction waived plus a half-price delivery fee of $4.95. Members also receive exclusive discounts and offers, double fuel point rewards and 5% off purchases of Harris Teeter-brand products. Monthly ExpressLane enrollees get the $25 minimum order waiver, double fuel points and 5% discount on Harris Teeter-brand items.

Related:Hy-Vee antes up more perks with Plus premium membership

Harris Teeter’s subscription incentives reflect a trend of grocery retailers trying to lock up followings of loyal, omnichannel shoppers via membership programs, à la Amazon’s successful Prime customer benefits plan, which also extends to the e-tail giant’s Whole Foods Market subsidiary. Retailers now offering or piloting such options include Walmart (Walmart ), The Kroger Co. (Delivery Savings Pass), Albertsons Cos. (Unlimited Delivery Club), Publix Super Markets (Club Publix), Ahold Delhaize USA’s The Giant Company, Hy-Vee (Hy-Vee Plus) and SpartanNash (Fast Lane), among others.

Along with ExpressLane, Harris Teeter partners with Shipt and Instacart for same-day online grocery delivery. Overall, the chain operates about 250 stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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