Sponsored By

Giant Eagle closes purchase of Ricker’s

C-store business joins forces with grocer’s GetGo banner

Russell Redman

December 5, 2018

1 Min Read
Rickers_convenience_store_exterior.png
Wurster Construction

Giant Eagle Inc. has finalized its acquisition of Ricker Oil Co., boosting its convenience store and retail fuel business in Indiana.

With the closing of the transaction, announced late yesterday, Giant Eagle adds 56 C-stores and fuel stations under the Ricker’s retail banner in metropolitan Indianapolis and Fort Wayne and across central Indiana. The Pittsburgh-based grocer currently operates seven GetGo Café Market convenience/fuel locations in central Indiana.

Giant Eagle and Ricker didn’t disclose financial terms when unveiling the agreement in late September. The deal also gives Giant Eagle the Ricker Oil wholesale fuels distribution business, which includes about 80 branded supply accounts in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

“Today is a very special day because we welcome more than 800 new team members to our Giant Eagle family and begin work to bring together Ricker’s and GetGo into a leading food-first convenience retailer in Indiana,” Giant Eagle President and CEO Laura Karet said in a statement.

Giant Eagle and Ricker haven’t announced any plans to change the Ricker’s or GetGo store experience.

The GetGo Café Markets 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.

“At GetGo, our positioning of taking the ‘cons out of convenience’ means we offer the highest-quality fresh foods, products and services to our customers,” stated Polly Flinn, executive vice president and general manager of GetGo. “Our acquisition of the Ricker’s chain supports this strategy, and we look forward to bringing together the best of both businesses in Indiana.”

Giant Eagle operates about 210 GetGo locations and 200 Giant Eagle supermarkets in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, northern 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

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like