Alimentation Couche-Tard plans to maintain GetGo’s food-first approach

GetGo Café Markets convenience stores will soon have a new owner.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT), the parent company of the Circle K convenience-store brand, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the convenience-store division of the Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle supermarket chain. 

“The sale will strengthen Giant Eagle, better enabling us to prioritize investments and resources, further bolstering our position as a leading regional grocer and pharmacy with a well-known brand that delivers value for customers and team members,” Giant Eagle said.

Giant Eagle said the sale is expected to close in 2025 and that Couche-Tard intends to “retain all dedicated GetGo store, operations and support team members as a part of this transaction.”

Giant Eagle, Inc. CEO Bill Artman in a prerecorded video regarding the acquisition said it was an “exciting day here at Giant Eagle” and the acquisition will “enable growth for both Giant Eagle and GetGo as we move forward.”

For over 93 years, “our company has been grounded in making bold decisions,” Artman said. “This is obviously a pretty bold move. We are excited about the potential this provides as we can now focus on our core supermarket business and our pharmacy business.”

With Monday's acquisition news, Artman said it also gives Giant Eagle the opportunity to invest in prices, which are “obviously very important to our customers.”

Related:Alimentation Couche-Tard to acquire GetGo Café + Market from Giant Eagle

In the video, Artman said Giant Eagle customers are going to continue to benefit from the company’s “world class” loyalty program. Following closing of the transaction, Couche-Tard and Giant Eagle “have agreed to keep and partner together on the myPerks loyalty program across Giant Eagle and GetGo locations, while exploring opportunities to expand the program to unlock even more value and discounts for our customers,” Giant Eagle said.

David Marcotte, senior vice president of global retail for consulting firm Kantar Retail, London, told CSP Daily News that this acquisition is a win for ACT in the foodservice category.

“ACT has always been an aggressive M&A [mergers and acquisitions] company [when it comes to] power and buying,” he said. “GetGo is part of that two-to-three chains a year approach. It also fits clearly into their strategic drive to become a foodservice option beyond their limited convenience products. They have attempted to do this in Quebec in the past, it is clear they need to buy the expertise.”

Giant Eagle echoed Marcotte’s sentiments by announcing that “Couche-Tard is planning to carry forward the incredible legacy GetGo has built, including its excellent customer service and its food-first approach to convenience.”

Giant Eagle operates 270 GetGo convenience stores throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard operates more than 7,100 stores in the United States, primarily under the Circle K banner.

This story was originally featured on CSP Daily News, a sister publication of Supermarket News.