GIANT-EAGLE TO CONVERT FOUR OHIO STORES TO ALTERNATIVE BANNER

PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle here said it plans to convert four smaller stores in the Cleveland area to an alternative banner -- the only stores in the 204-unit chain of corporate and franchised locations that will operate under a different name.

a -- Rini-Rego, the name under which the stores operated before their corporate parent, Riser Foods, was acquired by Giant Eagle in 1997; and Sparkle Markets, a 20-store independent advertising group operating in Ohio and Pennsylvania that is supplied by Giant Eagle's distribution arm, American Seaway Foods.

The spokesman told SN the stores are being converted because they are significantly smaller than the 60,000- to 100,000-square-foot units Giant Eagle is opening. No other conversions beyond the four stores are contemplated at this time, the spokesman told SN.