Walmart tops Harris Teeter as top grocery choice in Charlotte-area | Business

ROCK HILL, SC (WBTV) - Harris Teeter just lost it's crown as the favorite grocer in the Charlotte metro area. It could be a symptom of families looking to save money.

Walmart has taken the lead in the grocery store wars however Lynn Cain says she chooses sides by who has the better deals.

It's spring break for school in Rock Hill, which means Lynn Cain's seven children need to be entertained and fed.

"This would be my bill, one of my bills this would last me maybe two weeks," said Cain holding up a grocery receipt that is 3 and a half feet long.

In the last six months Cain says that bill has tripled in price.  With the price at the pump going up, price for goods going up too.

"$4.99 for a bag of chips a couple of months back $3 was the most expensive," said Cain "Milk has gone up tremendously, and coffee it's gone up four or five bucks."

The 2012 Chain Store Guide Grocery Industry Market Share Report shows Harris Teeter has more stores in the Charlotte metro area versus Walmart.  However, market share analysis shows an average of .4% more shoppers choose Walmart versus Harris Teeter.

A previous report showed Harris Teeter held a 1.2% market share lead over Walmart.

Walmart has 23 Super Centers in the Charlotte metro area which includes York County South Carolina. Harris Teeter has 48.  Nation wide Walmart has 3,016 stores compared to the 206 of Harris Teeter.

Cain has a theory why Walmart has surpassed Harris Teeter as the Charlotte region grocery champ.

"Over all Walmart you know you can get more than just groceries there," said Cain.

However, Walmart in her book isn't always number one the Teeter. 

"When they do their triple coupons up to a $1.99 and then you're pretty much getting stuff for free," said Cain.

She clips coupons and keeps them in a note book, a bag and a drawer in her kitchen searching and waiting for the best deals.

"I try to find the best price so I can stretch the money and buy more with it," said Cain.

Because with 7 mouths to feed, she says there's no number one grocery store just for her.

"It is expensive feeding all of them I'm not kidding," said Cain.

The comparison of the Walmart influence in York County, there are five Super Centers in York County versus just two Harris Teeter Grocery stores.

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