Giant’s Paul Madarieta spotlighted as minority business leader

The Giant Company said this week that Paul Madarieta, director of urban retail, has been named as a Philadelphia Business Journal 2020 Minority Business Leader.

Madarieta was one of 25 minority business leaders recognized by the publication. The awards honor the Philadelphia area’s top minority business leaders based on demonstrated business success over the past 12 to 18 months, including professional achievements, community leadership, philanthropy, and other awards and milestones.

“Paul is an exceptional leader and invaluable part of The Giant Company team, and we couldn’t agree more with the Philadelphia Business Journal’s choice to recognize him with this honor,” Matt Simon, vice president of urban retail and chief marketing officer at Giant, said in a statement. “As a company that values diversity in all areas of our business, we embrace the unique perspective Paul brings to the table.”

Madarieta (left) joined Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant in February 2016 as district director, overseeing operations for 15 stores in Pennsylvania’s Bucks and Montgomery counties. He was promoted to director of urban retail in 2018.

With over 30 years of grocery industry experience, Madarieta started his career at Trader Joe’s, where he spent more than 20 years in operations, most recently as regional vice president. After that, he joined Tesco’s U.S. venture Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, rising to the post of marketing operations director in five years at the company. From there, he went to online grocer FreshDirect, most recently serving as general manager and director of business development, and then after four years joined Giant.

Related:The Giant Company’s purpose-driven culture stars in new TV ad campaign

Of Madarieta’s accomplishments at Giant, the company cited his pivotal role in developing Giant Heirloom Market, the chain’s new urban store concept. The effort involved creating a new shopping experience in a small-format store that caters to distinct urban neighborhoods. So far, Giant has opened three Heirloom Markets in Philadelphia, including the city’s Graduate Hospital, University City and Northern Liberties districts. A fourth Heirloom Market store is planned for Philadelphia’s Queen Village neighborhood. In addition, Giant is building a new flagship store in a downtown Philadelphia mixed-use development under the city’s River Walk project.

“He’s got a pulse on the industry, our customers and the communities we serve, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have him on our team as we continue connecting families for a better future in Philadelphia,” Simon added. 

Related:Giant debuts second Heirloom Market in Philadelphia

All Minority Business Leader honorees will be profiled in a special issue of the Philadelphia Business Journal as well as online. 

Part of Ahold Delhaize USA, The Giant Company has nearly 190 stores, 132 pharmacies and 105 fuel stations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and operates 125 online pickup hubs and grocery delivery service in hundreds of ZIP codes.