Giant Food increases store presence across home state
Giant Food Stores is making a big push in its home state. The Ahold Delhaize USA banner will be opening six new stores from the ground up in Pennsylvania, alongside the opening of five new fuel stations and remodeling two stores as part of a $70 million capital investment over the next two years, the Carlisle, Pa.-based grocer announced Tuesday.
As part of its growth strategy, Giant Food plans to enter the East Stroudsburg, Pa. and Walnutport, Pa. communities for the first time.
“We are positioning the company for long-term growth, and we are excited to grow our presence within East Stroudsburg and Walnutport to better serve the families in those communities,” Nicholas Bertram, Giant Food president, said. “This year Giant is celebrating our founding in Pennsylvania 95 years ago, so we’re especially proud to make these new investments in our home state.”
The East Stroudsburg store and the Walnutport store are both anticipated to open in 2019 and both will include new fuel stations, the company said.
The other four new stores include one in Feasterville-Trevose, Pa. that’s slated to open in the summer of 2018; one in State College, Pa. with an anticipated opening date in late 2018/early 2019; one in Warrington, Pa. that will open early 2019; and one in Broomhall, Pa., that will open late 2019. Each of these four stores will replace a nearby location.
When the Shrewsbury, Pa. and West Chester, Pa. remodels are completed later this year, customers will be able to take advantage of key benefits, which include a broader variety and assortment that is relevant to customers in each store, such as more local products, a deeper assortment of natural and organic selections and healthier snack options.
This investment announcement follows the February completion of a new Peapod wareroom opened in partnership with Giant in North Coventry, Pa. The wareroom opening was in response to fast-growing delivery and pickup demand, and it will enable Peapod and Giant to serve up to 25% more shoppers in the greater Philadelphia area, the company said, adding that Peapod has experienced double-digit growth in the Philadelphia region for the last three consecutive years.
Additionally, the company said these efforts are in addition to the ongoing investments in Beer & Wine Eateries that Giant began in 2011 and now number 59 in Pennsylvania.