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The Giant Company ramps up hiring as pandemic spurs grocery purchases

Online grocery order capacity, time slots expanded to meet rising demand

Russell Redman

April 24, 2020

2 Min Read
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The Giant Company aims to hire another 3,000 associates, or almost 10% of its total workforce.The GIANT Company

Ongoing high demand for groceries amid the coronavirus crisis has led The Giant Company to institute a second round of hiring.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant said yesterday that it aims to hire another 3,000 associates, or almost 10% of its total workforce. Over the past month, the supermarket chain has added about 4,000 temporary and part-time workers across its retail banners, which include Giant, Martin’s and Giant Heirloom Market as well as the Giant Direct and Martin’s Direct e-commerce brands.

Giant said it’s hiring for various jobs in stores and selector and driver positions to support Giant Direct, its online grocery service that offers pickup and delivery.

“Over the past two months, our incredible in-store and e-commerce team members have worked tirelessly to serve families, but the demand for online grocery keeps growing stronger,” according to Matthew Lutcavage, vice president of human resources at Giant.

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Giant said it’s hiring for various jobs in stores and selector and driver positions to support Giant Direct, its online grocery service that offers pickup and delivery.

 

To meet rising online grocery demand, Giant plans to phase in technology enhancements to the Giant Direct platform to boost order capacity and expand time slots. Contactless pickup service is available at more than 130 Giant and Martin’s supermarkets.

Related:The Giant Company aids small businesses during pandemic

Digital enhancements to Giant’s website and mobile app also are being rolled out this week. The retailer said the improvements include a more personalized shopping experience, such as through product recommendations, as well as a “bolder” interface and a more robust search and filter capability that connects to the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance program.

Customers across 90% of Giant’s store footprint have access to online grocery ordering, pickup and delivery service, according to the company. To place a Giant/Martin’s Direct order, customers go to giantdirect.com or use the mobile app, enter their ZIP code and start shopping. Before checkout, they will be prompted to select how they would like to receive their order, by delivery or pickup.

In another measure to promote social distancing, Giant is now enabling customers to pick up prescriptions by using the Giant Direct parking spaces at their local store. For senior customers unable to enter the store, a complimentary U.S. Postal Service delivery option is available.

“Our purpose is to connect families for a better future, and our mission is more vital now than ever before,” added Lutcavage. “We’re committed to serving our communities and customers during this extraordinary time while helping our neighbors who are looking for work.”

Related:The Giant Company uses social media to discourage hoarding

Part of Ahold Delhaize USA, Giant has more than 33,000 employees and operates about 190 stores, 132 pharmacies, 105 fuel stations and over 125 online grocery hubs in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

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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