Harris Teeter concerns itself with helping achieve 'yourwellness'

Harris Teeter describes itself as “not just a grocery store,” but also “a wellness center.” The Matthews, N.C.-based supermarket retailer has taken big steps to provide a broader-than-usual menu of services that blend its pharmacy assets with its growing reach as a source of nutritional expertise.

Since 2006, Harris Teeter has built its health-and-wellness outreach on an integrated platform of services it markets as “yourwellness.” The program includes a free “yourwellness” e-newsletter, interactive online applications and “wellness” tags on products and shelves throughout the store to steer customers to foods that are heart-healthy, organic, sugar-free, low in sodium or fat, lactose-free or rich in calcium or vitamins. Customer advice and meal plans are provided by two nutritional experts.

Harris Teeter pharmacies offer the full range of modern retail prescription services — an opt-in automatic refill program, a Generic Prescription Savings Club that offers 90-day supplies of more than 300 me-too medicines for $9.99 and a new integrated pharmacy system that links all of the chain’s more than 120 pharmacies.

The “yourwellness” membership card provides customers with a broader menu of discounts on such healthcare services as eyeglasses, contact lenses, dental cleanings, X-rays, fillings, vitamins, hearing aids and diabetic supplies. The card is a three-tiered program, offering customers a choice of award levels.

Other services include follow-up calls within 48 to 72 hours after a child receives an antibiotic prescription, immunizations and the recent adoption of sophisticated electronic health record technology that gives both patients and pharmacists a real-time, easily accessed information platform.