A grocery industry publication said today that Harris Teeter no longer is considered a potential suitor to buy the Ukrop’s Super Market grocery chain, based in Richmond.

Citing unnamed sources, Supermarket News of New York reported on its Web site that the N.C.-based Harris Teeter has been outbid by a private equity group that is in negotiations to acquire Ukrop’s.

A Ukrop’s official was not available for comment this morning.

Last month another industry publication, Food World, reported that Harris Teeter was one of several grocers that was interested in purchasing the 28-store Ukrop’s company, which has a store in Roanoke.

Ukrop’s officials have not confirmed that the chain is seeking a buyer.

It’s unclear how a Ukrop’s sale could impact its Roanoke store on Franklin Road.