Giant Eagle Shows It Has Vision

PITTSBURGH - Comprehensive vision care and walk-in convenience meet at a Giant Eagle location here, where the independent grocery chain has partnered with local vision services company Visura to create a specialty concept that will operate as a pilot in or adjacent to two of its supermarkets over the next year.

The first location opened Oct. 15 in McIntyre Square in Pittsburgh's North Hills, adjacent to a Giant Eagle unit. The next will be placed inside a Giant Eagle store. "The factors for location selection will include the ability to construct a department, available space, demand, and traffic," Brian Frey, Giant Eagle's marketing communications assistant, told Progressive Grocer.

The partnership is more than a simple leased operation, added Frey, who disclosed that "Giant Eagle has an undisclosed financial interest in the partnership."

Each store will be staffed with a board-certified ophthalmologist and offer complete services to customers -- whether a customer suffers from cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy.

The stores will also offer more than 1,500 fashion frames from across 40 brands, including names such as Ralph Lauren, Fendi, and SpongeBob SquarePants and Disney for children.

"Giant Eagle believes that Visura is another convenient offering that meets the ongoing demand for enhanced, quality eye care," said Giant Eagle v.p. of marketing Kevin Srigley. "We view the eyecare Visura offers as a natural extension to the products and services we provide to help our customers live healthy lives."
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