Giant Eagle to stop the presses for its weekly print ad in the Cleveland area

Giant Eagle is stopping the presses for its traditional print ad delivery in select stores, the grocer told WGB on Monday.

Beginning on Jan. 12, Giant Eagle will transition away from the direct household delivery of its weekly print ad in the Cleveland area.

“At Giant Eagle, we are actively evolving alongside our guests to meet their unique interests with personalized savings opportunities,” Giant Eagle told WGB. “An important part of this journey is our continued shift to an enhanced digital shopping experience where personalization can be more easily achieved.”

Shoppers will be able to access the weekly ad by downloading the Giant Eagle mobile app, where they can place grocery orders for curbside pickup or delivery, clip digital coupons, build shopping lists and manage their available Perks.

Although not market-wide, the grocery retailer in July introduced this change to its Columbus market, Giant Eagle said. 

As more retailers turn towards ditching clippable coupons, a coalition of consumer and public-interest organizations penned a letter to 12 grocery retailers, asking them to consider those who aren’t plugged in online.

“The amount of money non-digital shoppers overpay can be staggering,” Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumer World, wrote in the letter.

As for Giant Eagle shoppers who are not ready to part with the printed weekly flyer, they need not stress.

“Printed weekly ads will continue to be available in all Giant Eagle and Market District locations for any guest who may prefer a paper copy,” the grocer told WGB.

Earlier this year, Giant Eagle signed a multiyear agreement to use global marketing technology company Eagle Eye's AIR platform to further its digital loyalty platform and increase its promotional capabilities.

Giant Eagle has more than 470 stores in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.