Giant Eagle will retain its name and Pittsburgh headquarters after $1.65 billion sale to Kroger

The iconic Pittsburgh grocery chain Giant Eagle is being purchased by the Kroger Company. 

In a news release from the Kroger Company, Kroger said it has a definitive agreement to acquire Giant Eagle. According to the company, the price to acquire Giant Eagle is $1.65 billion.

"Giant Eagle is a well-run, high-quality regional grocer with a strong reputation for fresh products, pharmacy, private label and customer loyalty," Kroger CEO Greg Foran said in a press release. "We evaluated the opportunity carefully, and the strategic fit is clear. Giant Eagle expands our reach into attractive adjacent markets, allowing us to do what we do best: Run outstanding stores, deliver fresh foods and convenient meal solutions at affordable prices, and take care of our customers and associates every single day."  

Giant Eagle says it will keep its name as part of Kroger, and Giant Eagle will continue to run the supermarkets, pharmacy and Market District brands as a division of Kroger. 

Giant Eagle also told KDKA-TV that Kroger plans to maintain the Giant Eagle myPerks loyalty program but will explore additional opportunities to expand. 

Giant Eagle has been family-owned and locally-operated for 95 years, and while it's changing ownership, it will remain headquartered in Cranberry.

"Today's announcement marks an exciting next chapter for our Team Members, customers, vendors and community partners," Giant Eagle CEO Bill Artman said in a press release. "Together with Kroger, we will be well-positioned to advance our strategy and deliver better quality and service, better everyday value, and a better shopping experience for our customers, while providing greater growth opportunities for our dedicated Team Members."

Prices and possible store closures are up in the air, including whether Kroger will continue Giant Eagle's relationships with local charity efforts. 

While many shoppers are still feeling the sting of an outside company running a Pittsburgh legacy, they're hopeful for what's to come. 

"It is like an icon of the past, and I just wouldn't want it to lose its nostalgia and the preciousness, and so as long as they keep the essence of Giant Eagle and maybe the prices, I think we'll be okay," said Stacy Barron, who was born and raised in the South Hills. 

Kroger said that they are financing the transaction with cash. They also said that the transaction is expected to close in 2027.