Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc., formerly Ruddick Corporation, operates a regional chain of supermarkets in eight states primarily in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, and the District of Columbia. As of October 2, 2012, the Company operated 208 supermarkets located in North Carolina (136), Virginia (38), South Carolina (14), Maryland (7), Tennessee (5), Delaware (3), District of Columbia (3), Florida (1) and Georgia (1). These supermarkets offer a range of groceries, produce, meat and seafood, delicatessen items, bakery items, wines and non-food items, such as health and beauty care, general merchandise and floral. On November 7, 2011, the Company completed the sale of all of its ownership interest in its thread manufacturing subsidiary, American & Efird (A&E) to two affiliates of KPS Capital Partners, LP.