Complex sentence: The deal represents a return of sorts to the Charlotte market for Kroger; it had previously operated stores under its own moniker in Charlotte from 1977 to 1988; since then, Charlotte had been the only large market in the Carolinas where Kroger had no presence.
Split into simpler sentences: The deal represents a return of sorts to the Charlotte market for Kroger; it had previously operated stores under its own moniker in Charlotte from 1977 to 1988. Since then, Charlotte had been the only large market in the Carolinas where Kroger had no presence.