Giant Eagle Discontinuing Double Coupons

Giant Eagle is joining the ranks of other food retailers across the nation by ditching double manufacturer’s coupons beginning March 1.

The percentage of manufacturer’s coupons eligible for doubling “has dwindled,” company spokesman Dan Donovan was quoted as saying in a local media report.

The Pittsburgh-based retailer discontinued doubling coupons up to 99 cents in 2007 and reinstated the practice following consumer outcry. The company said it has no plans to bring back double coupons after they are discontinued this time.

In addition to disbanding double coupons, Giant Eagle is also following the lead of other national grocery retailers to discontinue 24/7 hours of operations at four of its Pittsburgh-area stores.

Company officials said the move was prompted by “changes in customer shopping habits and the increase in the number of 24-hour convenience stores offering items typically sold” in grocery stores today.

Giant Eagle stores in Monroeville, Ross Township, Shaler and Washington, Pa., will close at 1 a.m. and will reopen at 5 a.m..

“We review shopping trends on an ongoing basis to ensure that we make our team members, products and services available during the times of the day that matter most to our customers,” Dick Roberts, a spokesman for the supermarket chain, was quoted as saying in the Tribune-Review. “As Giant Eagle and other grocers have seen overnight customer traffic decrease in recent years, today the majority of our supermarkets operate during hours between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m.”

The move to reduce hours in the four stores was also made in light of other grocery fulfillment options now available, including curbside pickup, home delivery and 24-hour convenience stores that offer grocery staples.

Of Giant Eagle’s 60 Pittsburgh-area stores, only 14 were open 24 hours before the change, which went into effect last week.