January 20, 2025 – Ahold Delhaize is proud to announce that the Top Employer Institute (TEI) has recognized both the company and the majority of its great local brands as Top Employers in 2025. This certification recognizes organizations that are dedicated to cultivating great places to work through excellent Human Resources policies and people practices. 

The Top Employer certification highlights Ahold Delhaize’s progress in its Thriving People strategic priority, part of its broader Growing Together strategy, which drives the company’s aspiration to be the leading (#1 or #2) employer of choice in each market. TEI has assessed our brands’ policies and unique practices, which may differ from one another. The recognition celebrates efforts to foster a caring, purpose-driven environment where the brands’ employees are valued, inspired, and empowered to grow and collaborate.  

In 2025, Ahold Delhaize Group and all of its U.S. brands – including ADUSA – achieved the Top Employer certification, alongside several European brands such as Mega Image (Romania), Maxi (Serbia), Alfa Beta (Greece), and Albert (Czechia). The assessment, based on TEI’s HR Best Practices Survey, evaluates organizations based on several areas, including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity, equity & inclusion, and well-being. 

“We are a people business. Receiving this certification is positive confirmation that our HR strategy is driving meaningful progress across all these areas,” says Natalia Wallenberg, CHRO of Ahold Delhaize. “It's testament to the  efforts of teams in the local brands and Ahold Delhaize Group, recognizing initiatives that prioritize connection with our purpose, collaboration and well-being, while supporting our brands’ communities. “It also proves that Ahold Delhaize is staying true to its promise: to create a supportive workplace that encourages growth and teamwork, where everyone feels heard, valued, and finds purpose in serving our communities.”  

Founded in Carlisle, Pennsylvania 

The GIANT Company was founded in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where it remains headquartered today. It serves millions of customers across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia both in traditional stores and online – as well as New Jersey online only. The GIANT Company also plays a crucial role in providing essential services to communities, ensuring that customers have access to groceries and essential items when they need them the most. Community engagement remains at the heart of The GIANT Company's values, from supporting local food banks, educational initiatives, and health and wellness programs.  
 

Pioneer in eco-friendly measures and putting people first 

Ahold Delhaize also recognizes The GIANT Company's dedication to innovation and sustainability. Our brand has been a pioneer in implementing eco-friendly measures, such as energy-efficient lighting, reducing food waste, and supporting local farmers through its Local program, which highlights locally sourced products. 

Ahold Delhaize also appreciates The GIANT Company's commitment to diversity and inclusion. It has made significant strides in fostering an inclusive workplace, embracing diverse talent, and supporting equality – better reflecting the diverse communities our brand serves. 

100th anniversary celebrations 

To recognize this huge milestone, The GIANT Company has been celebrating with a variety of initiatives!  

The company’s more than 35,000 team members will be celebrated throughout the anniversary season, with special team member-only discounts, events, in-store celebrations, a limited-edition t-shirt, and be highlighted for their contributions to The GIANT Company through various storytelling opportunities. Last week, leaders from across the organization participated in special celebration visits, visiting every store and e-commerce facility to say thank you to team members and delivering special gifts.   

Thanking customers

Throughout September, the company thanked customers with four weeks of special sales and promotions. With items from across the aisles including everyday favorites and pantry essentials, the special prices will underscore the company’s longstanding commitment to value.  

The GIANT Company will continue celebrating in October with in-store samplings and surprise giveaways like anniversary gift bags containing coupons, product samples, recipes, and bonus CHOICE Rewards® points. 

Donations connected to purpose

Throughout summer and leading up to The GIANT Company's anniversary, philanthropy was a cornerstone of its anniversary celebration. Several financial and product donations were made, and associates participated in various volunteer activities. All donations will support the company’s purpose of connecting families for a better future by taking actionable steps to eliminate hunger, change children’s lives, heal the planet, promote wellbeing and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. Beneficiaries include food banks, children’s hospitals, and local youth organizations. 

Ahold Delhaize recognizes and commends the dedication of The GIANT Company's team members who have played a vital role in this incredible journey, working tirelessly to provide top-notch service and high-quality products to their communities. 

“We have been fortunate to have John lead The GIANT Company as interim Brand President during a time of transition, and we are excited about this next step in his career,” said JJ Fleeman, CEO Ahold Delhaize USA. “He has led the team during a very important time in the company’s history as it celebrates its 100-year anniversary this fall. John is a leader who cares deeply about his team and serving customers. He will continue to drive strong performance and advance many of the hallmarks of The GIANT Company brand, including growth in its local markets, innovation in operations and a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as health and sustainability.”

Before serving as interim Brand President, John served as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for The GIANT Company, where he led the merchandising and marketing teams to develop and implement customer-centric strategies that support the continued growth of the brand, while also improving customers’ experience and the overall value proposition. John started his career in the grocery industry at age 14 at Foodtown in New Jersey, where he worked through college. He later joined Pathmark and held positions of increasing responsibility at retail and in merchandising before joining Ahold Delhaize USA companies in 2011 and The GIANT Company in 2018. 

“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Brand President of The GIANT Company,” John said. “Guided by our purpose of connecting families for a better future in all that we do, I’m looking forward to building on The GIANT Company’s incredible legacy and working with our entire team to do what we do best: ensuring we are always well-positioned to not only meet but exceed the needs of our customers and communities who’ve trusted us for the past century.”

An industry and community champion, John serves as Chair of FMI’s Fresh Food Leadership Committee and on the Board of Directors at Philabundance, the largest hunger-relief organization serving the Philadelphia area. He attended Rutgers College and has completed post-graduate programs at Cornell University and Harvard Business School.

The GIANT Company, headquartered in Carlisle, Pa., is an omnichannel retailer with more than 35,000 associates that proudly serves millions of neighbors across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey. It operates 193 stores, 132 pharmacies, 107 fuel stations and over 180 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery services in hundreds of zip codes.

The Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program provides funding as a reimbursement grant to eligible applicants seeking to improve urban agriculture infrastructure in Pennsylvania. These grants will build out the infrastructure of urban agriculture by investing in the food system, filling gaps, encouraging entities to work together, finding ways to bring operations to a greater scale, overcoming food deserts, and opening opportunities for people to become social entrepreneurs. 

Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined Dave Lessard, Vice President, The GIANT Company, Omnichannel Merchandising Fresh, for a check presentation and to tour the farm’s efforts to improve food access in its community.     

“Strengthening our food system is critical to The GIANT Company’s purpose of connecting families for a better future. And urban agriculture is critical to this narrative – it is growing food security, creating healthier communities, addressing food system inequities, and connecting families around the dinner table,” said Lessard. “We are so proud to support this year’s Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program as part of our 100th anniversary celebrations, as these dollars will help grow resilient, food secure communities for generations to come.” 

The GIANT Company’s support is part of its 100th anniversary celebration efforts, which honors team members, customers, and the communities it serves. Building on its century-long commitment to grow strong, healthy communities, philanthropy is a cornerstone of the company’s anniversary celebration. It will build on its legacy by making donations and participating in volunteer activities aligned with its purpose of connecting families for a better future through efforts to eliminate hunger, change children’s lives, heal the planet, promote wellbeing and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. 

“We have been fortunate to have Nick lead The GIANT Company during his nine-year tenure,” said Kevin Holt, CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA. “His leadership has inspired very strong performance by the team. The GIANT Company has achieved a great deal of success, with growth in its local markets, innovation in operations and a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as health and sustainability. We remain confident in the continued momentum of the brand and wish Nick all the best in the future.”

Bertram added, “Leading The GIANT Company to be designed for the way families live now has been a great honor, and I am excited about the growing momentum of our purpose-led teammates. That, along with the strength of our leadership team, makes now the most natural time for me to step away. I have great confidence in John and believe that The GIANT Company’s best days are still to come.”

Ruane will serve as interim president until a successor is named. He is currently Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for The GIANT Company, where he has led the merchandising and marketing teams to develop and implement customer-centric strategies that support the continued growth of the brand, while also improving customers’ experience and the overall value proposition. Ruane started his career in the grocery industry at age 14 at Foodtown in New Jersey where he worked through college. He later joined Pathmark and held positions of increasing responsibility at retail and in merchandising, before joining Ahold Delhaize USA companies in 2011 and The GIANT Company in 2018. 

Ruane added, “I’m honored to serve as interim president. I look forward to continuing to serve our customers and communities and delivering on our purpose and passion of meeting today’s customers' needs.”

An industry and community champion, he currently serves as Chair of FMI’s Fresh Food Leadership Committee and on the Board of Directors at Philabundance, one of the largest hunger-relief organization’s serving the Philadelphia area. Ruane attended Rutgers College and has completed post-graduate programs at Cornell University and Harvard Business School.

The GIANT Company, headquartered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, operates 192 supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey and has more than 35,000 associates.

The GIANT Company presented Rodale Institute with a check for $1,099,208.55 at a ceremony event at The GIANT Company headquarters, which was attended by Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Moyer, The GIANT Company President Nicholas Bertram, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Reading, and other recipients of funding from the Healing Our Planet campaign. 

“Through their generosity in rounding up at the register, our customers have once again proven how dedicated they are to healing our planet and we couldn’t be more grateful for their support,” said Jessica Groves, community impact manager, The GIANT Company. “Since joining forces with Rodale Institute last year, we have seen firsthand how they are working to expand regenerative organic agricultural practices and create a more sustainable food chain, which is more important than ever before. We’re honored to team up with Rodale as we work to improve the health of people and the planet we call home.” 

“Many organizations talk about the problems related to human and planetary health,” said Jeff Moyer, Chief Executive Officer of Rodale Institute. “Nick, the team at The GIANT Company, and their customers are taking action to help find solutions to those problems. By forming a strong partnership with Rodale Institute, the company has taken steps to ensure that more farms will be organic, more soil is being regenerated, and more organic food is available to consumers.” 

Rodale Institute has been conducting research into regenerative organic agriculture, as well as farmer training and education opportunities, since 1947, and currently operates 8 campuses in 4 states. The GIANT Company’s donation will directly support three key initiatives of Rodale Institute centered around farm consulting, farmer training, and research. 

These initiatives include: 

• Rodale Institute Farmer Training program (RIFT), an on-site internship that trains beginning farmers for a career in regenerative organic agriculture and supports the Institute’s farm share program, mobile pop-up markets and farmers markets. 

• Rodale Institute’s Organic Crop Consulting Services, launched in 2019 with the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which support farmers who are seeking to transition to organic through one-on-one mentorship with the Institute’s trained agronomists. 
• Rodale Institute’s research focuses on three primary areas: growing organic agriculture, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and solving food insecurity by growing nutrient-dense foods.  

In addition to Rodale Institute, additional funds were raised for Planet Bee Foundation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. 

Ahold Delhaize and our great local brands are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion with ongoing efforts to create a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. It is a topic that is part of the Ahold Delhaize DNA and comes to life in our values of courage, integrity, and care.  

Hannaford 
Hannaford supports young people living with a neurodiverse diagnosis by encouraging independent living and job readiness skills. In order to provide a real-life experience in grocery shopping, Hannaford Supermarkets donated grocery shelving and a checkout station, complete with conveyor belt and bagging area to the Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders (GLCOE).  

The dedicated grocery training area is a 28,000 square foot innovative facility that opened in August 2021. In addition to outpatient treatment for all ages, the center includes a life-skills room with a grocery shopping station as well as special chairs for practice with getting haircuts, dental care and health care. 

“These are more than just nice activities – if a person is unable to do these things it can result in serious problems, such as feeling overwhelmed in the grocery checkout line, a dentist’s chair, or in a doctor’s office.  We are thrilled to have this resource to provide practice in these key life experiences,” said Dr. Matthew Siegel, vice president of medical affairs for autism and developmental disorders 

“Going to the grocery store is being part of the community, so we are proud to partner with the Glickman Lauder Center (GLCOE) in helping neurodiverse members of our community develop new skills related to the shopping experience,” said Eric Blom, Hannaford spokesman. “We are so thankful for the work being done at the Center every day to help people with autism and developmental disorders lead full, rich lives.” 

Hannaford also supports associate initiatives such as Chris Heel's annual autism fundraiser. Chris started a 5K walk to benefit the Autism Society of Maine (ASM) when he was high school student. What started off as a senior year project has now turned into an annual event on Mount Desert Island. Since Chris started his "senior project", he has raised over $30,000 to help support nonprofits including the ASM. 
 

Stop & Shop  
Stop & Shop honored Autism Awareness Month and promoted acceptance for the condition that occurs in one out of every 44 children in the U.S. SVP Human Resources, Maria Silvestri, wrote a personal message to associates, sharing some of her experience as a grandmother of a neurodiverse child who is living with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis, and invited associates to virtual events during the month, presented by the United Nations and the NIH (National Institute of Mental Health), and the OARC (Office of Autism Research Coordination), to increase their own awareness, acceptance and inclusion. 
 

Mega Image 
The Urban Garden project, developed by CONIL Before & After-school Center for children living with autism, is supported by Mega Image through their “Project of Today for Tomorrow” 2021 program. On April 5, children living with a disability had the opportunity to plant flowers, vegetables and fruits in an urban garden with the help of teachers and Mega Image representatives. The objective is to support and promote healthy eating for children, and to also provide learning and recreative activities in a therapeutic way. 

As Diversity Month is recognized during May in Europe, Mega Image will also raise awareness of diversity and inclusion via its strong involvement in a number of initiatives. This includes helping displaced Ukrainian people integrate into life in Romania by welcoming them into Mega Image’s community and providing employment opportunities in its warehouses, headquarters or 900+ stores. Moreover, associates are offered the opportunity to support social causes, through Mega Image’s internal volunteering program, 12 Acts of kindness. 

Mega Image will also continue its online series of events, Community Talks, with a new edition focused on “Pandemic vs War: The impact of social context on women”. Ileana Alexandru, HR VP; representatives of She is Mom digital platform; and a psychologist will discuss the topic. Furthermore, Mega Image will support the Lead Network community by joining its “Breaking the Biases” event, where Ileana Alexandru, HR VP, will join as a guest speaker. 

The Giant Company  
As part of Diversity Month in the U.S. The GIANT Company honored Autism acceptance by focusing on their commitment to building a culture of acceptance and inclusion. This month and every month, The GIANT Company strives to break down all physical, intellectual, and sensory barriers so that all people, including individuals with autism, can reach their fullest potential, regardless of their unique strengths and challenges. 

Throughout April, team members were encouraged to wear Autism Acceptance pins provided by The GIANT Company to foster inclusion and were also encouraged to wear blue on World Autism Awareness Day. Stories and experiences of team members with autism were also shared throughout the month and vendor partner Popcorn for the People was recognized for its efforts to create meaningful employment for individuals with Autism and other spectrum diagnoses. The GIANT Company’s DE&I Team and BARRIER FREE Business Resource Group also hosted a virtual event for team members called “From Awareness to Acceptance” to build a better understanding and embrace everyone's differences. 

Additionally, The GIANT Company also supported community events with the shared vision of celebrating diversity, building equity and promoting inclusion, including the local YWCA Race Against Racism and 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge, Race for Resources for Autism Cares Foundation of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Kinney Walk/Run for Autism, and an Autism Awareness Luncheon in Philadelphia.   

Giant Food 
Giant Food recognizes and celebrates neurodiversity in various ways, and it is committed to breaking down barriers to allow all people to succeed. Below are just some examples on how Giant Food is committed to this. 

Giant Food stores partner with their local schools to provide “on-the-job” experience with the assistance of a job coach to students with disabilities. Students are hired and paid for several hours each week learning general tasks that help them build customer service and teamwork skills that are useful for any future career of their choice. Through these programs Giant Food has hired many associates with disabilities, creating a better diverse and inclusive company culture.  

For many years, Giant Food has been a sponsor of the Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities. This is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization focused on improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families in the District of Columbia and beyond. In 2021, Giant Food sponsored the Quality Trust “Back Together Luncheon,” an opportunity for their staff, supporters, and stakeholders and specifically the people with developmental disabilities they support; who have said they are experiencing depression as they have had to isolate for over a year and a half and want to be with people. 

During Autism Acceptance month throughout April, Giant Food associates also showed their support and acceptance of the Autism community by wearing red while working in stores, distribution centers, delivery centers and the office.

Delhaize Serbia  
Honoring Diversity Month, Delhaize Serbia is spotlighting its collaboration with the Creative and Educational Center (CEC), an organization focused on the inclusion of persons living with a mental or intellectual disability through a range of programs, initiatives and partnerships. These initiatives allow people living with a neurodiverse diagnosis to improve their quality of life, provide preparation for an independent life, social inclusion, future employment, as well as raising awareness to the general population and breaking prejudice.  

One of the most successful initiatives between CEC and Delhaize Serbia is its work-ready program. Participants of the program learn about store processes and gain experience across the stores in Belgrade, three times a week for one hour. This program has been successful not just for enhancing inclusion, but for also building awareness and a better understanding of neurodiverse diagnoses among associates and customers. This year, the program will be renewed for a 10th time and soon a new group of participants will take part in the program across Delhaize Serbia stores. 

“Leading with our noble purpose, we are committed to making a difference in the communities we serve, with an overall objective to contribute to healthier people and a healthier planet,” said Nicholas Bertram, president, The GIANT Company. “Our first community impact report highlights how far we've come, and how everything we do reinforces meaningful connections for families across our communities, with each action adding up to the better tomorrow we envision.”  

A few of the major highlights captured in The GIANT Company’s community impact report include:  

• More than 1,000 managers across The GIANT Company completed inclusive leadership training and the company made nearly $300,000 in community donations to organizations focused on equity and inclusion.  
• Committed to making a difference together, team members achieved more than 28,000 volunteer hours and raised more than $732,000 through the annual team giving campaign in 2021.  
• In support of efforts to eliminate hunger, The GIANT Company, its customers, and vendor partners donated $18.2 million in both financial and product contributions for hunger relief efforts.  
• As part of its focus around healing the planet and being a sustainable retailer, The GIANT Company reported more than 293,000 metric tons of carbon offsets through our partnership with GreenPrint, recycled nearly 120 million pounds of carboard, rescued more than 850,000 pounds of food through Flashfood, and raised $2.3 million to fund organizations focused on the environmental initiatives.  
• To support local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The GIANT Company’s customers helped raise $2.5 million in support of changing children’s lives.  

“The progress we’ve made would not be possible without the efforts of many, from our team members to our nonprofit partners to our suppliers and our customers,” said Jessica Groves, manager of community impact, The GIANT Company. “As we look to our 100th year, we will not rest when it comes to improving the lives of the people and communities we care for and serve. The opportunities ahead inspire us, and we remain as committed as ever to our team members, communities, and the planet.”  

For additional information on The GIANT Company’s community impact efforts, visit https://giantfoodstores.com/pages/our-purpose. 

Download The GIANT Company Impact Report

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As our brands across the U.S recognize and celebrate Diversity Month during April, we had the opportunity to learn more about their great initiatives focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. One such example is The Giant Company’s Diversity Cohort. Learn more about it below!   

Bringing the Diversity Cohort to life 

The GIANT Company aspires to build a culture of inclusion and belonging for all team members, customers, and neighbors where everyone is respected, valued, heard and welcomed just the way they are. In 2020, Regional Director Steve Harfield had big dreams and much success in launching The GIANT Company’s first “Diversity Cohort,” an in-depth training program for store associates, aimed at providing one-of-a-kind development, training, and mentorship opportunities for diverse team members with the potential to fill future leadership positions. The idea of a Diversity Cohort was derived from The GIANT Company’s Compassionate Listening Sessions where all team members gather for a safe place to share ideas and concerns and help build greater inclusion for all. The GIANT Company Diversity Cohort has been extremely successful and has now expanded in more regions.  

Kelsey Sloan, Talent Acquisition Manager, who assisted in developing the program said: “We strive to provide an inclusive environment for team members and customers to work and shop and aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve. In order to fulfill this mission, we need to dedicate time, resources and energy to developing the next level of leaders and need to ensure our leadership of the future is diverse in all aspects. The Diversity Cohort drives our “Be You Team Promise”, to ensure each and every team member has opportunities to grow with our company if desired, and to feel supported and encouraged throughout the journey.” 

What is the program about? 

The goal of the Diversity Cohort is to prioritize and accelerate the development of The GIANT Company’s high-potential, diverse talent. It provides unique opportunities for learning and development, which will allow associates to identify their specific career aspirations and accelerate their journey to reaching these goals. Participants will have the opportunity to share their diverse perspectives and impact the region’s diversity initiative and strategy, by sharing their experiences and ideas.  

The Diversity Cohort program consists of a variety of unique in-depth training opportunities that include the following components:  

• On-the-job training geared toward the next level role within their department;  
• Attend live and virtual training sessions on technical and soft leadership skills;  
• Participate in listening sessions to help the Region advance in their commitment to providing an inclusive workplace for all team members;  
• Attend webinars and other events to learn more and contribute their ideas on diversity, equity and inclusion;  
• Meet with Regional and Executive Leadership.  

Upon completion, participants will have gained a better understanding of The GIANT Company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and have become well-rounded leaders. Above all, they will have a better understanding of the career pathways and opportunities available to them.  

Several participating team members have already assumed leadership positions in The GIANT Company including department managers, leads and assistant department managers. 

Providing a path to growth and making an impact 

In the first Diversity Cohort, 50% of graduates were promoted during their program while engagement scores in the region beat the brand average! 

Jonathan Houston, program participant and Meat Team Member said: “I finally see what others see in me. I was never sure if I wanted to move up or not, but now I know for certain I do.”  

For The GIANT Company this program is not only a developmental tool for future leaders. It is also a way to make a real impact on both associates and customers, reflecting the diverse communities that it serves. 

“Last year’s grant recipients demonstrated that no matter how big or how small a project may be, you can make a difference in healing our planet,” said Jessica Groves, community impact manager, The GIANT Company. “As we again partner with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, this year we are shifting the focus to projects centered around our waterways and water conservation. Water is crucial for sustaining life which is why we need to protect our water resources for today and for the future.”  

The 2022 Healing the Planet grant program is accepting online applications now through April 28, 2022 via the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Eligible projects must be located in areas where The GIANT Company operates stores within Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia or West Virginia. Examples of qualifying projects include stream health and water quality monitoring activities, marine debris removal, storm water/MS4 education initiatives, lake/pond ecology, watershed education activities, watershed landscape measures, rain gardens, streambank restoration, erosion control, AMD remediation, rain barrels, pollution abatement and source water protection. A total of $300,000 in funding is available, with grants to be awarded at the $2,500, $5,000, or $10,000 funding levels. Awardees will be announced in June.   

Last year, 42 recipients received more than $500,000 in funding through the Healing the Planet grant program in support of projects that aimed to build environmental stewardship by connecting people and families to community green spaces, supporting environmental efforts, and building community gardens.  

“The health of our local waterways is intimately connected to the overall health of our communities. Our waterways provide recreation, impact our economy, connect us to neighborhoods and to each other. Healthy waterways are vital to thriving, successful communities,” said Shannon Reiter, president, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “We are honored to once again partner with The GIANT Company to provide opportunities to make a difference in the health of local waterways and communities. We also want to thank all of you who ‘rounded up’ at the register. Your generosity will directly impact and protect the health and quality of local waterways.”  

As part of The GIANT Company’s healing the planet initiative, the brand is committed to plastic bag recycling and plastic reduction efforts, zero-waste initiatives, a solar field and bee pollinator habitat, energy-efficient fixtures in-stores, and sustainably sourced seafood, coffee and tea. To learn more, visit giantfoodstores.com/pages/our-purpose.  

In addition, customers can also support The GIANT Company’s healing the planet initiatives. Now through May 31, customers can round up their purchase at any GIANT, MARTIN’S or GIANT Heirloom Market store at checkout. Funds donated through round up will benefit Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, Planet Bee Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on driving awareness for pollinators in local communities, and Rodale Institute, the leading voice in developing solutions for the regenerative organic movement. 

“Ship2Me by GIANT is a natural extension of our current grocery delivery options,” said John Ruane, senior vice president, omnichannel merchandising, The GIANT Company. “By offering access to complementary products not traditionally found in store, we are adding endless aisle shopping options for today’s busy families, all with the convenience of being delivered right to your door.” 

Ship2Me complements the online grocery services offered through GIANT Direct and MARTIN’S Direct. In addition to ordering staple grocery and household products for pickup or delivery via GIANT Direct or MARTIN’S Direct, Ship2Me gives more choices in categories including health and beauty, home décor, and other household items. Instead of picking up Ship2Me items at the store or having them delivered at a scheduled date and time, these items ship directly to customers from Ship2Me sellers. 

All Ship2Me items have the option of free standard shipping, which takes between four and nine days. Ship2Me sellers may offer other shipping options such as Express or Next Day Delivery for an additional fee, but shipping options and fees vary by seller and product. Return shipping is always free. There is no minimum order required for Ship2Me. 

In addition, customers can place orders for both GIANT Direct and Ship2Me for one seamless checkout experience. A customer’s Ship2Me order will be listed separately from the pickup or delivery grocery order. Once an order is placed, customers will receive email confirmation and a future email with tracking information once the order ships. 

CHOICE Rewards customers can also earn loyalty points on Ship2Me item purchases, which can be redeemed for gas savings, dollars of purchases, free items and more. 

For more details on Ship2Me by GIANT click here and Ship2Me by MARTIN’S click here.  

In celebration of the grand opening, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with remarks from Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, The GIANT Company President Nicholas Bertram, and Ahold Delhaize USA Supply Chain President Chris Lewis.   

“Today is the culmination of more than two years of collaboration between our team, Ahold Delhaize USA Supply Chain, and our partners at Swisslog and AutoStore resulting in a state-of-the-art facility that will propel our GIANT Direct offering across greater Philadelphia and for the first time, southern New Jersey. Our new GIANT Direct EFC represents the future of grocery and the future of The GIANT Company, as we are one step closer to realizing our full omnichannel aspirations,” said Bertram. 

“The opening of this facility is an exciting step forward as we continue to collaborate to evolve the supply chain network for the future,” said Lewis. “Solutions like micro-fulfilment centers will be an important part of the self-distributed network, positioned to serve customers whenever, wherever, however they want to shop.”    
Since the beginning of this week, the facility also provides GIANT Direct delivery to several New Jersey towns for the first time. . The company plans to introduce GIANT Direct to additional communities in southern New Jersey over the next several months.   

Implementing innovative technology  

As part of The GIANT Company’s commitment to optimizing and growing GIANT Direct for delivery orders and in-store pickup, The GIANT Company is the first Ahold Delhaize USA company to implement this new EFC technology which streamlines order fulfillment by using the latest in robotics, machine learning, and vertical integration. The GIANT Company worked with Ahold Delhaize USA company Peapod Digital Labs, Swisslog, and AutoStore on the project.   

Within the GIANT Direct EFC, two space-saving, 3D grids contain totes filled with fresh and non-perishable groceries. When a customer places a GIANT Direct order, team members work alongside a team of robots that quickly gather the items for bagging. After bagging, GIANT team members place orders into temperature-controlled totes and on to trucks for delivery to customers.   
  
The GIANT Direct EFC offers a selection of product that mirrors a traditional GIANT store’s offerings. The facility will stock more than 22,000 products, enabling The GIANT Company to meet increasing customer demand with greater capacity, faster order fulfillment, and room to grow home grocery delivery. The center is expected to fulfill up to approximately 15,000 home delivery orders per week. 

At Ahold Delhaize’s virtual Investor Day held this week, Selma Postma, Chief Digital Officer Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia, also shared information about The Network Tool (TNT) that was used to help set up the GIANT Direct EFC. TNT is a best in-class network optimization engine that leverages predictive analytics and a wide range of data inputs to give network expansion recommendations that allow brands to maximize the reach and capacity of their e-commerce networks while minimizing operating costs and capital required. The TNT tool was used to determine the ideal location, capacity and coverage of the EFC and has allowed The GIANT Company to optimize capital investments and reduce operating costs. 

The GIANT Company will continue to grow 

The new facility builds on The GIANT Company’s strong presence in Philadelphia, which has grown from one store in 2018 to 10 by the end of 2023. In addition to three GIANT Heirloom Markets and its new Philadelphia flagship Riverwalk store, The GIANT Company will open three new stores by the end of the year.   

The GIANT Company introduced the GIANT Direct brand in February 2019 when it debuted its first e-commerce hub in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Today, the company has more than 150 pickup locations and customers across 90% of the company’s footprint have access to online grocery ordering and delivery services.  

“For nearly a century, we’ve been a trusted part of the communities we serve, helping families come together to share a meal and create special memories,” said Nicholas Bertram, president, The GIANT Company. “For us, food and families go hand in hand and as we look to our future, we wanted to make sure our name reflects all we aspire to be as an omni-channel retailer. We are proud of the role our brand has played in connecting millions of families, and as The GIANT Company, we will continue to passionately serve our customers and communities for a better future.”

From its humble beginnings in 1923 as a two-man butcher shop to an omni-channel retailer in 2020, the company currently operates 186 stores across four states, offering families an array of services that have grown beyond groceries to include grocery delivery and pickup, catering, in-store pharmacies, nutrition education and on-site fuel stations. Named the 2019 Retailer of the Year by Supermarket News, today’s news comes as the company positions itself for future growth in 2020 and beyond.

The logo for each banner in the family of brands - GIANT, MARTIN’S, GIANT Heirloom Market, GIANT DIRECT and MARTIN’S DIRECT - has been refreshed, offering a fresh take on the company’s widely recognized logos. The most notable characteristic of the new logo is the leaf that is part of the “A” in each banner’s name, designed to signify The GIANT Company’s commitment to growth and freshness.

Additionally, The GIANT Company will utilize a contemporary color and design scheme, underscoring the brand’s modern, fun and caring culture as well as its promise to grow alongside its customers and team members.

Immediately, the new GIANT logo can be seen on the exterior of The GIANT Center, a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena located in Hershey and the company’s headquarters in Carlisle. Over the course of the year, the company will integrate its new name and logo into its operations.

Added Bertram, “Even though our name and logo are changing, our commitment to the families we serve isn’t; in fact, it’s only getting stronger. As a purpose-driven organization, we are laser-focused on our goal of making a difference in the lives of those we serve, inside our stores, online and deep within our communities. Starting with the heart and soul of our company – our more than 33,000 team members –The GIANT Company will live its purpose, providing a simplified experience and inspiring fresh ideas, while creating healthier communities for today, tomorrow and beyond.”

The omni-channel fulfillment center will be GIANT’s largest and support its ecommerce brand GIANT DIRECT, which has experienced double-digit growth since its launch last year. 

The center will provide more capacity, better distribution and room to grow home delivery and in-store pick-up for online orders. GIANT will partner with Peapod Digital Labs to drive the innovation development for the facility.   

Two new stores will be built across Pennsylvania. A fourth GIANT Heirloom Market and urban flagship store in Philadelphia have already been announced for completion this year. The 35 remodelled stores will help to simplify shopping with optimized product assortment, streamlined order pickup, improved merchandise displays and modernized décor.  

2019 was a year of unprecedented growth for GIANT as it opened 17 new stores and launched two new brands. It was also named Retailer of the Year by Supermarket News.