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Giant Eagle goes cashierless at more GetGo stores

Grabango checkout-free payment to launch in four Pittsburgh-area locations

Russell Redman

September 3, 2021

3 Min Read
Giant Eagle-GetGo-Grabango cashierless checkout.jpg
Grabango's cashierless payment solution enables GetGo customers to make purchases via a mobile app and skip the checkout line.Grabango

Following up a one-store soft launch a year ago, Giant Eagle is deploying checkout-free payment technology from Grabango at another four GetGo Café Market convenience/fuel locations in Pennsylvania.

Berkeley, Calif.-based Grabango said this week that its cashierless solution is being implemented at GetGo stores in the greater Pittsburgh communities of Ross Township, Wexford, Cranberry Township and Mars. These locations were chosen to create a “local network effect,” so shoppers can use the system at multiple GetGo stores in their area, the tech company said. 

The Grabango deployment at the O’Hara GetGo store in Fox Chapel, Pa., last September marked the technology’s first commercial launch. Giant Eagle and Grabango had been piloting the solution under a partnership announced in midsummer 2020.

GetGo-Grabango G-rails.jpg

Grabango's solution uses computer vision — through small cameras in ceiling fixtures called G-rails (see above) — and machine learning technology track the products that shoppers select as they navigate the store.

“As we continue doubling down on creating the best in-store experience for customers, we remain drawn to Grabango because of their commitment to delivering an optimized, safe and easy experience for our loyal Giant Eagle and GetGo shoppers,” Rug Phatak, senior director of marketing for GetGo, said in a statement. “Following early adoption success and shopper enthusiasm, we’re excited to roll out Grabango’s checkout-free solution to more customers throughout the Pennsylvania area.”

Related:Giant Eagle now takes PayPal, Venmo payment at checkout

GetGo uses an app-based version of the Grabango technology (click here to view video). After downloading the fee Grabango mobile app, customers enter the store and start shopping as normal. Computer vision — through small cameras in ceiling fixtures called G-rails — and machine learning technology track the products that shoppers select as they navigate the store and keep a running total of the items to be purchased. When finished, customers scan the code in the app upon exiting the store. As shoppers leave, they can opt to receive digital receipts, which can be accessed as far back as a year.

The customer response has been strong to the initial deployment, according to Grabango and Giant Eagle. Surveys of O’Hara GetGo shoppers found that 88% of customers have high user satisfaction, and over 80% of visits are repeat visits, even as the base of users expands. Since last September, Grabango’s faster, contactless checkout experience has saved GetGo shoppers 10,410 minutes — equivalent to more than seven days — that could have been spent waiting in line, the tech company noted.

Grabango’s system is designed to retrofit existing stores and operate within their planogram and merchandise mix, and the Giant Eagle/GetGo installation represented the first retailer to retrofit and launch checkout-free technology in an existing, large-chain store, according to Grabango. The solution requires no membership or check-in, turnstiles or other special gear at the store entrance, and the system doesn’t use facial recognition, maintaining shopper privacy.

Related:Giant Eagle goes live with checkout-free payment at GetGo store

More Grabango rollouts to GetGo stores — and potentially Giant Eagle supermarkets — are in the offing. “We look forward to success at our Fox Chapel GetGo and to rolling out more Grabango-powered convenience and grocery stores in the near future,” Giant Eagle President and CEO Laura Karet stated when Grabango launched at the O’Hara GetGo.

Overall, Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle operates 474 food and convenience stores, including over 200 supermarkets, across western Pennsylvania, north central Ohio, northern West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.

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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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