Following a historic year of transformation and omnichannel growth, Giant Food Stores announced that it expects to invest $114 million in capital expenditures* in Pennsylvania over the next 18 months, building on the recent success of its two new brands, Giant Heirloom Market™ and Giant Direct.

A new, ground-up 66,000 square foot Giant will be built in Pocono Summit, at the southwest corner of Interstate 380 and state Route 940.

The new store will expand the Giant brand along the Interstate 380 corridor and within Monroe County. Currently, a 2021 opening is being planned and the Company anticipates hiring 200 team members for the Pocono Summit location.

Joined by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin at the 104th Pennsylvania Farm Show today, the Pennsylvania-based Company unveiled plans to create an innovative Giant Direct e-commerce fulfillment center, open two new stores, and remodel 35 existing stores in 2020 and 2021. With this investment, Giant will grow its commitment to the city of Philadelphia, its home market in Central Pennsylvania, and Monroe County.

“We’re doubling down on growth and innovation for our customers, building on the incredible momentum of 2019, and continuing to invest in our great Commonwealth,” said Nicholas Bertram, president, Giant Food Stores. “The accelerated growth of Giant Direct has set the stage for additional investment opportunities that extend our e-commerce geographic reach. At the same time, our Giant Heirloom Market format has enabled us to reach an entirely new demographic in Philadelphia.”

2019 was a year of unprecedented growth for the company, as Giant opened 17 new stores and launched two new brands. In January, the company debuted its new Giant Heirloom Market format in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia, followed by locations in University City and Northern Liberties. In February, Giant opened a first-of-its kind Giant Direct e-commerce hub in Lancaster, and began to rollout the Giant Direct brand to its stores. In over just 10 months, the Company’s number of Giant Direct grocery pickup locations climbed from zero to 125. Giant also introduced PA Preferred® shelf tags, a first of its kind program by a Pennsylvania retailer, designed to help customers easily identify the more than 1,200 Pennsylvania products available in its stores year-round. For these achievements and more, Giant was named Retailer of the Year by Supermarket News.

Giant plans to remodel 35 stores in various locations across its operating footprint that, in some cases, may include a new Beer & Wine Eatery. Stores selected for remodel will include features to simplify shopping for busy families such as optimized product assortment, streamlined order pickup, improved merchandise displays, and modernized décor. Notable future remodels in the Commonwealth include the communities of Camp Hill and St. Davids.