Giant opened its 124,000 square foot Swisslog-automated Giant Direct E-commerce Fulfillment Center (EFC) in Philadelphia last week. The Island Ave. facility serves customers in the Center City and South Philadelphia neighborhoods, as well as some Southern New Jersey communities. More South Jersey markets are slated to be added in the coming months.
The EFC will stock over 22,000 products and fill up to an estimated 15,000 home delivery orders weekly, according to the company. Giant also says that it has become the first Ahold Delhaize USA supermarket chain to implement multi-pronged EFC technology, including the latest in robotics, machine learning and vertical integration.
According to Giant, “two space-saving, 3D grids in the Giant Direct EFC contain totes filled with fresh and non-perishable groceries. When a customer places an online order, associates work alongside robots that quickly gather the items. After the products are bagged, workers place orders into temperature-controlled totes and then onto trucks for delivery to customers.”
Since 2018, when Giant had one store within the city limits of Philadelphia, the company’s presence has grown significantly. There are currently seven stores, and by the end of next year there will be 10, assuming store openings go as planned. Overall, the company operates 190 stores, 132 pharmacies, 107 fuel stations, and over 150 online pickup hubs. Giant offers grocery delivery in hundreds of zip codes in PA, MD, VA and WV.