Grocery delivery changes behind Giant closing Milford warehouse

Customers want more delivery appointment slots and a bigger assortment of foods to choose from, Giant says.

Changes in customer demand for grocery delivery is the reason the Giant Co. is closing its Milford warehouse, a company spokesman said.

Giant, which operates six grocery stores in Delaware, will be closing Milford site, which was opened to guarantee grocery delivery in three hours, starting Oct. 21.

“Our ambition is to meet the changing needs of our customers who are increasingly looking for faster delivery, more delivery time slots and a broader assortment, and we are adapting to better serve these needs,” spokemans Jonathan Arons told Delaware LIVE.

Milford joins two other sites — one in Hanover, Maryland, and one in Manassas, Virginia, that will be closed.

“We look forward to continuing to serve our customers and all the ways they want to shop,” Arons said. “We will provide updates over the next several weeks with respect to the localized delivery options that will best serve our customers going forward. ”

The chain intends to  meet all the needs all of its customers  in store and online for delivery or pick up, he said.

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Arons declined to comment on whether retail theft played any role in the decision, limiting his comments to a statement he read.

WTOP, a Washington, D.C., radio station reported this week that operating costs were another reason given for the closures.