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Giant Eagle to deploy higi health stations

Interactive kiosks can help pharmacists coordinate health care

Russell Redman

August 13, 2019

3 Min Read
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Giant Eagle aims to help its customers get a better read on their health with the rollout of higi health stations to all of its supermarkets.

The Pittsburgh-based grocer is slated to deploy higi kiosks at 218 Giant Eagle stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Maryland. Using the free service, shoppers will be able to measure their weight, body mass index (BMI), pulse and blood pressure.

higi health kiosk_in-store_3.JPGUsers, too, will be able to securely store their data in a private, online higi account for reference and progress comparison. They can also use the higi mobile app and website, which provide activity tracking tools — such as a step tracker for smartphones — and interactive, wellness-related content focusing on awareness, prevention and management of chronic conditions.

The higi network also serves as an access point to care for customers, who can engage with a health provider through higi in partnership with Giant Eagle.

So far, Giant Eagle has deployed higi kiosks in 25 stores, and it expects to complete the rollout chainwide by this fall. Nearly all of the 218 stores have a Giant Eagle Pharmacy.

“Higi has become a market leader, offering the capabilities needed for Giant Eagle pharmacists to connect the dots between the various health care entities contributing to the care of our shoppers,” Jim Tsipakis, senior vice president of pharmacy at Giant Eagle, said in a statement. “As our pharmacies continue to align with organizations and health systems seeking greater engagement with patients, our partnership with higi facilitates connectivity and careful coordination that ultimately benefits the patient.”

Related:Kroger expands deployment of higi stations

In addition, higi kiosks provide motivation to customers by presenting check-in and activity-based challenges. When users take part in a higi challenge, they earn “Watts” for measuring their biometrics on a higi station and tracking their healthy activities. After the challenge is completed, those who meet the specified milestones are eligible for the designated prize drawing. Users also collect badges, medals, and trophies for their achievements and can connect with others challengers to share motivational tips and hear about their progress, according to Chicago-based higi.

“We are thrilled to partner with a retail organization leading the way in community health and wellness,” stated Jeff Bennett, CEO at higi. “Giant Eagle’s strong community ties and vision for healthier communities is well-aligned with our model of empowering the consumer by creating access to better, more coordinated care.”

Related:Giant Eagle plans tech hub for Pittsburgh area

Higi’s network encompasses approximately 11,000 Food and Drug Administration-cleared and HIPAA-compliant health stations — typically situated near the pharmacy department — at food, drug, mass and wholesale club stores nationwide. The company said that, to date, over 56 million people have used a higi station to conduct more than 322 million biometric tests.

Other food, drug and mass retailers offering higi stations include Ahold Delhaize USA, Albertsons Cos., H-E-B, Kroger Co., Loblaw Cos., Meijer, Publix Super Markets, Sam’s Club, Wakefern Food Corp., Wegmans Food Markets, CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid and Walgreens.

*Editor's Note: Article updated with more information on the higi deployment.

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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