PHILADELPHIA — The GIANT Co. held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at its newest Philadelphia store, which is located at 1403 South Christopher Columbus Blvd.

The 46,000 square foot store operates from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, and employs approximately 150 full- and part-time team members, the company says. The new Columbus Boulevard store features GIANT’S signature fresh departments, including farm-fresh garden produce, fresh meat & seafood, full-service deli, and bakery, coupled with expanded product variety. New offerings include sushi made in-store, a dedicated plant-based section, smoked meats, and a convenient Beer & Wine Eatery. The store also offers GIANT Direct, which allows shoppers to order groceries online at giantdirect.com for pickup or delivery.

As part of GIANT’s commitment to making a difference in the local communities it serves, the company celebrated the opening of the Columbus Boulevard store by making donations to each of the following community groups: Fridge & Families, Philadelphia Fire Department – Engine 3, South Philadelphia Community Fridges, and Women in Transition.

The Columbus Boulevard store is the first of three stores the GIANT chain, part of Ahold Delhaize USA, plans to open in Philadelphia this month. A new Doylestown GIANT at 4377 Swamp Road is slated to open on Friday, December 10 at 8 a.m., and the new GIANT Heirloom Market in the Fashion District at 801 Market St. is due to open on Thursday, December 16 at 8 a.m.

These grand openings will cap a year of significant growth for GIANT in greater Philadelphia. The Riverwalk GIANT, the chain’s two-level urban flagship store in Center City, opened in March and the company’s new GIANT Direct e-commerce fulfillment center opened on November 8. The company also opened a new GIANT at 2201 Cottman Ave. on November 12.