Rebecca Lupfer Named Chief Merchant At The Giant Company

On August 20 The Giant Company (TGC) said that it has named Rebecca Lupfer SVP and chief merchant for the 193-store regional Ahold Delhaize USA brand based in Carlisle, PA. In her new role, Lupfer will lead all aspects of merchandising for the company as well as commercial planning and pricing, reporting directly to TGC’s president, John Ruane. She takes over the role that Ruane held until he was named full-time president of the regional chain in July 2023. Lupfer’s appointment is effective immediately.

“With nearly 20 years of retail grocery experience spanning nearly all areas of the business, Rebecca brings a tremendous amount of expertise to the table as well as an incredible passion for building strong teams that deliver results,” said Ruane. “With her strong knowledge of our business, team, and customers, I know The Giant Company will continue to be the grocery store of choice for customers and team members alike.”

Lupfer joined Ahold Financial Services in 2005 as a business analyst and held various positions of increasing responsibility before joining Ahold USA in 2016 as a portfolio lead for seasonal merchandising. She joined The Giant Company in 2018 as director of merchandising planning and over the next six years held various positions including vice president of merchandising-center store, vice president of the company’s Mid-Atlantic division, and most recently, chief financial officer.

Joanna Crishock, VP-omnichannel center store merchandising, and Brian Lorenz, VP-omnichannel fresh merchandising, will report to Lupfer.

Lupfer currently serves on the board of directors for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Academy of Food Marketing and The Food Marketing Educational Foundation at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

In addition, she serves as the executive sponsor of the company’s women’s business resource group. Lupfer has received numerous industry and community awards throughout her career, including being a two-time winner of Progressive Grocer’s ‘Top Women in Grocery Award’; a ‘40 Under 40 Award’ winner by the Central Penn Business Journal; a recipient of the City & State PA ‘Above and Beyond Award’; a ‘Woman of Excellence’ by the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg; and was also honored by Mass Market Retailers as ‘Person Who Made a Difference.’

Lupfer earned an MBA from Lebanon Valley College and a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the Pennsylvania State University.