The top U.S. supermarket chain has engaged PR counsel as it inks a $2.5B acquisition of Harris Teeter, a southeastern chain of grocery stores based in Matthews, N.C.

krogerCincinnati-based Kroger has engaged Sard Verbinnen & Co to support communications for the $49.38-per-share deal, announced July 9. Sard Verbinnen managing director Andrew Cole leads the account, according to Kroger director of media relations and corporate communications Keith Dailey.

Kroger will pay a 33.7% premium on Harris Teeter's share price of Jan. 18, when media reports that HT was "evaluating strategic alternatives" first surfaced, sending the stock upward. It is financing the purchase with debt and will take on HT's own $100M debt.

Both boards have approved the agreement.

HT, which had 2012 revenues of about $4.5B, would bring 212 stores in the southeast and Mid-Atlantic states to Kroger's empire, along with two distribution centers and a dairy facility. Kroger would operate 2,631 supermarkets with 368,300 employees in 34 states and D.C. after the combine. It forecasts savings of $40-$50M over three to four years.

Kroger chairman and CEO David Dillon said his company looks forward to "bringing together the best of Kroger and Harris Teeter while continuing to operate and grow the Harris Teeter brands."