image of exterior of Harris Teeter store at night

As the company celebrates its 65th birthday, the leaders at Harris Teeter are confident they have the secret sauce to ensure it will keep thriving.

“The key to maintaining Harris Teeter’s core values and mission has always been our people,” said Tammy DeBoer, president. “From our dedicated associates in-store to our drivers on the road to the associates in our distribution centers to the leadership teams shaping the company’s direction, it’s the passion and commitment of our people that keep Harris Teeter grounded in what has always made us unique.”

headshot of Tammy DeBoer
Tammy DeBoer

Despite changes across the retail landscape, including store upgrades, new services and shifting consumer preferences, DeBoer said it’s the company’s associates who continue to uphold the values that make Harris Teeter the trusted grocer its customers know and love.

In 2022, the executive team took a fresh look at defining the Harris Teeter culture and core values. While these values had always been understood in different ways, the consistent underlying message was clear: Enriching Lives – one meal, one family, one associate and one community at a time.

“Whether by making a small difference in a customer’s day, supporting our associates or engaging with our communities, the focus has always been on improving lives in meaningful ways,” said Danna Robinson, director of corporate affairs and customer relations.

“Our leaders came together to articulate and embody the way our associates go to business every day, and it is rooted in this idea of enrichment.”

This purpose is not just a part of the company’s culture but also continues to inform every decision it makes.

headshot of Christy Hubbard
Christy Hubbard

“Whether dealing with large strategic moves or smaller operational adjustments, we always ask ourselves how our choices will align with the goal of enriching lives,” said Christy Hubbard, VP of marketing.

This message, she added, has been reinforced with associates throughout the years.

“We consistently thank them for bringing this mindset to work every day,” she said. “As we navigate a changing industry, it is our purpose of enriching lives that continues to guide us and ensures we stay true to our mission.”

Dave Yandow, head of merchandising, said Harris Teeter’s associates truly make the difference.

“It’s our strongest attribute and our biggest point of difference against our competition,” he said. “It’s a very rewarding part of my job hearing how much our customers enjoy shopping at Harris Teeter and how much they appreciate the way their Harris Teeter associates treat them.”

Harris Teeter starts with “a purpose that’s bigger than itself,” said Charles Jent, VP of operations.

headshot of Charles Jent
Charles Jent

“We enrich the lives of families, our customers, associates and communities. All these areas are equally important,” he said. “We do that better, collectively, than any of our very strong competitors in the region.”

In discussing the future, DeBoer is enthusiastic about the company’s direction.

“Harris Teeter has exciting plans for future growth as we look to introduce our brand to new customers while continuing to meet the needs of our loyal base,” she said. “We’ve been on a growth trajectory for 65 years. And as we look ahead, we’re confident the next 65 years will be even better.

“Our focus remains on adapting to the changing industry, staying in tune with our customers’ evolving needs and supporting our associates and communities. As we move forward, we will continue to prioritize our core values while exploring new opportunities to expand and enhance the Harris Teeter experience for everyone we serve.”

[RELATED: Harris Teeter, ‘Your Neighborhood Market,’ Remains Cornerstone Of Communities]

Senior Content Creator Carol joins The Shelby Report with more than 25 years writing for B2B magazines that cover the drugstore and supermarket industries. A Rutgers graduate, she earned her B.A. degree...

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