Publix aims at Charlotte, N.C., grocery market

Publix to expand near Charlotte

Publix Super Markets Inc. on Tuesday confirmed taking its first step into the Charlotte, N.C., market for a long-anticipated confrontation with entrenched rival Harris Teeter. Publix next month starts construction on two stores on the South Carolina side of the border in the Charlotte suburbs in Tega Cay and Indian Land near Fort Mill. Until now, the Lakeland grocery giant's market reach has not spread into the Carolinas north of Spartanburg, S.C., or east of Knoxville, Tenn., where the first of three Publix stores is under construction. Harris Teeter, which has 204 stores, holds 22 percent of the Charlotte food market behind only Walmart/Sam's Club, with 26 percent. Publix operates 1,050 stores in five states. Publix, No. 1 in market share in Florida, declined to say when it plans to enter North Carolina.

Tampa software firm bought out

Tampa's SOE Software, a private firm founded in 2003 and a large provider of election management solutions in the United States, was acquired by the Spanish company Scytl, a provider of voting solutions in more than 20 countries. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. SOE provides election software to more than 900 jurisdictions in 26 states and 14 statewide customers. SOE is led by entrepreneur Marc Fratello, the former CEO of the Tampa software firm Powercerv.

— Times staff