A MAJOR supermarket has unveiled huge changes to boost its locations, marking its biggest shakeup in decades.
Giant Eagle has announced it will use money raised from its sale of GetGo convenience stores to pour more money into improving its services.
Giant Eagle grocery store in Glenshaw, PA[/caption]
A woman shopping for a sale or discount in a convenience store[/caption]
A GetGo convenience store in Pittsburgh[/caption]
It was reported by Supermarket News last week that Giant Eagle sold around 270 GetGo locations to Alimentation Couche-Tard for $1.6 billion.
Bill Artman, president and CEO of Giant Eagle, said: “The sale of the GetGo business marks an important moment in Giant Eagle’s history.
“It is a catalyst for investment in the communities we have served for more than 90 years.”
The money raised from the sale is set to be put into renovating around 25 stores and opening new ones over the coming five years, Supermarket News has reported.
The company added that it might purchase additional Rite Aid pharmacies.
Giant Eagle also aims to lower food prices at its 215 locations across several states.
The retailer announced price cuts on two occasions last year, once in May and again in September.
Its Deals for Days summer campaign saw prices drop on more than 1,000 items.
The September cut saw prices drop by 20% on more than 200 produce items.
Giant Eagle further plans to use the money raised from the GetGo sale to fund a recently ratified union contract.
This agreement covers more than 5,000 employees.
It includes pay increases of 3% to 5% over the coming four years.
The news comes after a major chain has confirmed it is opening eight new locations this summer as part of a mass expansion.
Target announced the upcoming stores alongside plans to open more than 300 locations over the next decade.
Around 20 in total are scheduled to open this year with more on their way in October.
