Giant Eagle Express C-Store Concept to Open in Summer
PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle, based here, is thinking small with a new grocery/gas/drug store hybrid named Giant Eagle Express, taking aim at large-format drug and convenience stores alike.
This summer will mark the opening of the first unit, a 13,000-square-foot location that combines a small market with gas pumps and a drive-thru pharmacy, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Harmar Township, Pa., Rob Borella, Giant Eagle spokesman, told Convenience Store News' sister publication, Progressive Grocer.
The new Giant Eagle Express will be larger than the chain's GetGo convenience stores, and will feature a full range of fresh foods including baked goods, meat, produce and dairy items. The footprint for Giant Eagle's Express format will be roughly the same size as the typical drug store, which measures anywhere from 14,500 to 16,000 square feet, Progressive Grocer reported.
Although Giant Eagle did not elaborate on plans for additional Express locations, local reports claimed the company is aggressively scouting for additional sites for possible expansion. CSNews Online uncovered online job ads for real estate development managers, confirming that the company will be scouting additional locations for its Giant Eagle Express concept in the future. Responsibilities for the position include "Oversee coordination and implementation of development support services for free standing and pad fuel locations and Giant Eagle Express projects."
Giant Eagle also operates 115 GetGo fuel and c-stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia, and Maryland, in addition to a chain of large-format supermarkets.
This summer will mark the opening of the first unit, a 13,000-square-foot location that combines a small market with gas pumps and a drive-thru pharmacy, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Harmar Township, Pa., Rob Borella, Giant Eagle spokesman, told Convenience Store News' sister publication, Progressive Grocer.
The new Giant Eagle Express will be larger than the chain's GetGo convenience stores, and will feature a full range of fresh foods including baked goods, meat, produce and dairy items. The footprint for Giant Eagle's Express format will be roughly the same size as the typical drug store, which measures anywhere from 14,500 to 16,000 square feet, Progressive Grocer reported.
Although Giant Eagle did not elaborate on plans for additional Express locations, local reports claimed the company is aggressively scouting for additional sites for possible expansion. CSNews Online uncovered online job ads for real estate development managers, confirming that the company will be scouting additional locations for its Giant Eagle Express concept in the future. Responsibilities for the position include "Oversee coordination and implementation of development support services for free standing and pad fuel locations and Giant Eagle Express projects."
Giant Eagle also operates 115 GetGo fuel and c-stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia, and Maryland, in addition to a chain of large-format supermarkets.