Giant Eagle Upgrades Online Imaging

WENDY TOTH

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle here launched a greatly enhanced version of its online photo center this month.

The retailer's previous online photo offering, available for several years, was limited to prints and two-day pick-up.

The new site provides one-hour service at stores with photo labs, two-day in-store pick-up at 15 cents a print, and home delivery.

In addition, the site — developed by LifePics, Boulder, Colo. — allows customers to create gifts such as mugs and cards, which can also be delivered or picked up, according to Giant Eagle spokesman Dan Donovan.

“The site allows us to take our photo offerings out of our supermarkets and into our customers' homes,” he said.

Customers who upload photos are provided with unlimited storage, the ability to retouch and enhance, and to create online albums and slide shows.

Having launched the site less than a month ago, Giant Eagle is still gauging customer reaction, but will evaluate and modify the offering as necessary, Donovan said.

The fastest-growing part of the photo market is online order and pickup at retail, said LifePics spokesman Ken McDonald. “For a grocery chain, this is important because it drives customer visits,” he added.

The retailer currently offers in-store photo labs as well as digital Fuji photo kiosks in 210 of its 225 stores.