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Giant Eagle to buy Ricker’s convenience store chain

Acquisition adds to grocer’s GetGo locations in Indiana

Russell Redman

September 28, 2018

2 Min Read
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Giant Eagle Inc. plans to acquire Ricker Oil Co., which operates 56 convenience stores and fuel stations in Indiana.

Financial terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed. The deal would expand the convenience retail footprint for Giant Eagle in Indiana, where the Pittsburgh-based grocery retailer has six GetGo convenience store/fuel locations in the central part of the state. A seventh is slated to open in Zionsville, Ind., in October.

“We are thrilled to partner with such a strong company, brand and talented group of Ricker’s employees,” Giant Eagle President and CEO Laura Karet said in a statement. “We look forward to building on the great history that Ricker’s has in Indiana and carrying forward many of the amazing offerings and services Ricker’s customers have come to expect.”

Giant_Eagle_GetGo_store.pngThe transaction is expected to close by the end of 2018. According to the companies, the operation of Ricker’s stores will continue as usual, and currently there are no immediate plans to change the Ricker’s or GetGo store experience.

“Ricker’s has proudly served the Indiana community for nearly 40 years, and we are so excited to have found a partner in Giant Eagle and GetGo,” Ricker Oil Co. President and CEO Quinn Ricker stated. “Giant Eagle, like Ricker’s, is a family-owned company. We believe strongly that the coming together of our two businesses will be a seamless and extremely positive experience for employees, customers and business partners alike.”

Founded in 1979, Ricker Oil Co. provides wholesale fuel services and operates fuel/convenience stores, across Indiana. The Indianapolis-based company, which has 850 employees, its first convenience store in 1989 and is due to open a new location this month.

“We want to thank our loyal Ricker’s customers and assure them this new business arrangement will help us maintain our position as a leader in the convenience store industry,” commented Chairman Jay Ricker, who founded the company with his wife Nancy.

Their son, Quinn Ricker, is slated to join Giant Eagle to manage operations of the Indiana locations, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.

The GetGo Café & Markets convenience stores offer made-to-order foods such as subs, burgers and breakfast sandwiches, among other items. Giant Eagle opened its first GetGo location in the Indianapolis area in October 2015.

Overall, Giant Eagle operates about 210 GetGo locations and 200 Giant Eagle supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.

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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