Giant Eagle inks deal with Symphony

Giant Eagle has signed a multi-year contract with customer insight software company Symphony EYC in a move the companies on Tuesday said would help the Pittsburgh-based grocer “build improved strategies against constant competitive pressures.”

Symphony EYC said Giant Eagle would use its solutions covering customer insights, personalized marketing, promotion, assortment and space. It said the data provided would be integrated into internal processes and collaboration with suppliers.

“Competition in our market isn’t new for us, nor is the knowledge that we must constantly get to know our customers better — we’ve been on this path,” Ian Prisuta, SVP non-perishables merchandising for Giant Eagle, said in a statement. 

“However, with each day, complexity within the business grows significantly, and we know that to make truly informed decisions — those that exceed customer expectations and lead to growth — we need highly sophisticated and proven solutions. In addition to better serving our customers, we need to cover the full value chain to include shared insights and enhanced strategies with our suppliers as well.” 

Giant Eagle operates more than 410 supermarkets throughout western Pennsylvania, north central Ohio, northern West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.

It had sales of $9.3 billion in 2016. Symphony has U.S. headquarters in Atlanta and works with food retailers including Hy-Vee, Albertsons and Ahold USA.