Giant Food, LLC has completed multimillion-dollar renovations to its stores in Bethesda, Md.; Clarksville, Md.; Largo, Md.; Rehoboth, Del.; Columbia, Md.; and Warrenton, Va. The stores, which range in size from 58,000 to 65,000 square feet and boast improved produce and perishable departments, will all have their grand openings May 9.

The renovations are part of the Ahold banner's three-year Project Refresh investment plan to remodel or replace about 100 Giant Food stores, according to Giant Food e.v.p. and g.m. Robin Michel in a statement.

Giant Food spokesman Jamie Miller told Progressive Grocer that the six stores are the first to be remodeled under the program, which Ahold first revealed in October 2007. Construction on the locations began in February, he added.

The remodeled locations additionally boast new interior decor, including new store signage, and larger food and pharmacy departments, as well as a new convenience meal area, where shoppers can pick up sandwiches, salads, and sushi, and a bigger selection of natural foods, including Giant's Nature's Promise items.

In the course of the remodels, Starbucks units have been added to the Bethesda, Columbia, and Warrenton stores.

Also new to the stores are technologies such as "Easy Shop," which permits shoppers to scan and bag their groceries as they shop, then pay and go, and "Deli Vision," a kiosk at which customers can place deli orders, then pick them up when they've finished shopping.

"Our...customers will find that their Giant has a brighter, fresher new look along with numerous improvements that will simplify their lives," noted Giant Food.

A total of about 90 new jobs have been created at the remodeled stores.

Landover, Md.-based Giant Food operates 184 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, and employs about 21,000 associates. Included within the 184 stores are 165 full-service pharmacies.