United States' biggest supermarket operator, Kroger Co., stated it will purchase Harris Teeter Supermarkerts Inc in a transaction worth around US $2.5 billion. The deal will pave way for the expansion in mid and south east Atlantic regions.

A Reuters report revealed that Kroger Co. has offered to pay US $49.38 for each share in cash.

Talks regarding Harris Teeter's supposed sale first emerged in mid-January this year while reports that Kroger Co was among those interested to buy came out by February.

Kroger, a 130-year old company that owns Smith's, Ralphs and Food 4 Less, declared it would take on Harris Teeter's debt amounting to US $100 million.

It has reported US $96.8 billion revenue and owns over 2, 400 stores. Harris Teeter, on the other hand, reported around US $4.5 billion revenue for 2012 and operates 212 supermarkets in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Georgia, Florida and the District of Columbia.