Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food has announced Diane Hicks as SVP of operations, effective Sept. 12.
In this role, Hicks will be responsible for providing strategic leadership in the development and execution of Giant’s critical growth drivers, delivering exceptional store conditions and driving a true selling culture.
With 30 years of experience working in retail across the Ahold Delhaize family of brands, Hicks brings a balance of expertise across HR, operations, sales and merchandising. Most recently, Hicks was the VP of operations at Stop & Shop, another Ahold Delhaize brand, responsible for strategic leadership, operations excellence, fostering positive culture, talent management and overall profit and loss responsibility for stores in New York and Connecticut.
Prior to this, Hicks spent 12 years with Giant Food leading various teams across merchandising and operations, making this new appointment a true homecoming.
“The entire Giant Food family is thrilled to welcome Diane back to our team,” said Ira Kress, president of Giant Food. “She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in omnichannel store operations, and we look forward to the leadership and growth she will bring to the Giant Food brand in this role.”
Throughout her experience in retail, Hicks has held multiple roles, including positions of assistant store manager, store manager, sales manager, human resources manager, district director, director of produce/floral sales and merchandising, director of center store sales and merchandising and VP of sales and merchandising.
“I am energized to be returning to my roots at Giant Food to support the continued growth of this beloved local brand. I am confident I can build on the positive momentum and introduce new strategies to support omnichannel operations and development to make this the best place to work and shop,” Hicks said. “I’ve felt at home in the Ahold Delhaize family and look forward to all that is to come in my new role.”
Since opening its first location more than 85 years ago in Washington, D.C. in 1936, Giant operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 employees. Included within the 164 stores are 153 full-service pharmacies, ninety-two full-service PNC Banks and 27 Starbucks locations.
For more information on Giant, visit giantfood.com.
