Giant opens six stores in four states

Giant Food Stores announced last month that it opened six new stores in four states. Five of the stores were Shop n' Save stores that Giant converted to Martin's Food Markets, and one was a newly constructed Giant to replace a closed store nearby.

Giant acquired the Shop n' Save locations from Supervalu last November and received approval to close the deal from the FTC in February. The stores are in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia (2). The Giant location is in Warrington, PA.

Giant, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize USA, now operates 178 supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

The company recently opened its first Giant Heirloom Market in Philadelphia, and has plans to open three more of the urban-format grocery stores in Philadelphia this year.

Grocery store openings increased 30 percent in 2018

New grocery store openings were up 30% in 2018 as compared to the prior year, according to a report by JLL. More than one-quarter of the new stores were in Florida, California and Texas as a result of expansion by Publix, Sprouts Farmers Market, Aldi, Kroger and H-E-B.

"Grocery is one of the strongest retail sectors, with nearly twice as many new stores opening than closing last year," according to JLL Director of Research James Cook.

Cook also pointed out that shopper habits have shifted to more frequent, shorter trips, and as a result, food retailers are focusing on developing smaller format stores.

"In 2019 we expect to see even more grocery stores rolling out their smaller-format stores as they battle razor-thin margins in prime locations, while still serving evolving consumer needs," said Cook.

Aldi, which accounted for 16% of total new stores by square footage, continues to expand at a rapid pace. And new formats, like Giant's 9,500 square foot Heirloom Market in Philadelphia, were recently introduced.

Giant's Heirloom Market to open more Philly stores

Giant opened its first Heirloom Market in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia less than two weeks ago, and according to the company, three more city locations will soon follow.

An Heirloom Market store is scheduled to open this summer in University City, followed by stores in Northern Liberties and Queen Village.

Giant's small, urban format features grab-and-go technology for payment, as well as online pickup and delivery options.

The size of the Graduate Hospital store is approximately 9,500 SF, and it is expected that the new locations will be similar.