Giant Eagle to Pilot Starbucks Units in Five Stores
PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh-based retailer Giant Eagle Inc. announced on Tuesday that it will open 900-square-foot Starbucks licensed locations inside each of five Pittsburgh-area stores.
An agreement with Starbucks Coffee Company will allow Giant Eagle to pilot freestanding coffee locations inside its supermarket environment. The first location for the pilot test will be in the Robinson Crossroads shopping center beginning the week of Nov. 11.
"The Starbucks licensed location will offer on-the-go people the most convenient and efficient service," said Giant Eagle senior VP of marketing, Laura Karet. "The expansion to five initial stores will offer both Giant Eagle and Starbucks the opportunity to further assess customer interest and refine the service for a possible broader launch throughout our market areas."
Each Starbucks location will include seating for 22 people and will feature whole-bean coffee, brewed coffee, signature espresso beverages, Tazo tea, and Frappuccino ice blended beverages. Karet said that Giant Eagle will continue to sell ground and pre-packaged coffee in its grocery coffee aisle.
"We're pleased how well Starbucks has been received by customers in the Pittsburgh area," said Joe Hallinan, Starbucks VP licensed stores East. "Giant Eagle was selected because of its history, and their commitment to quality has been consistently demonstrated."
Founded in 1931, Giant Eagle has grown to be the leading supermarket retailer in the region with 124 corporate and 89 independently owned and operated stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia, and Maryland.
An agreement with Starbucks Coffee Company will allow Giant Eagle to pilot freestanding coffee locations inside its supermarket environment. The first location for the pilot test will be in the Robinson Crossroads shopping center beginning the week of Nov. 11.
"The Starbucks licensed location will offer on-the-go people the most convenient and efficient service," said Giant Eagle senior VP of marketing, Laura Karet. "The expansion to five initial stores will offer both Giant Eagle and Starbucks the opportunity to further assess customer interest and refine the service for a possible broader launch throughout our market areas."
Each Starbucks location will include seating for 22 people and will feature whole-bean coffee, brewed coffee, signature espresso beverages, Tazo tea, and Frappuccino ice blended beverages. Karet said that Giant Eagle will continue to sell ground and pre-packaged coffee in its grocery coffee aisle.
"We're pleased how well Starbucks has been received by customers in the Pittsburgh area," said Joe Hallinan, Starbucks VP licensed stores East. "Giant Eagle was selected because of its history, and their commitment to quality has been consistently demonstrated."
Founded in 1931, Giant Eagle has grown to be the leading supermarket retailer in the region with 124 corporate and 89 independently owned and operated stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia, and Maryland.