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Giant Eagle Slashing Prices On More Than 3,000 Items

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Giant Eagle is cutting prices on more than 3,000 popular grocery items.

The company says the grocery store will lower prices an average of 15 percent. The price reductions are on both national and Giant Eagle brands, on products like dairy and processed meats.

The grocery store says the cuts will save consumers millions. Some of the items include Cheerios, Hellmann's Mayonnaise, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Cool Whip, and more.

"When you think about the broader economy, customers are watching every penny that they're spending and what we've heard from customers is they want simple, easy," said Rob Borella, Giant Eagle's communication's director.

Giant Eagle says it's lowering its prices to help its customers as a lot of people have been impacted by a tough job market and an overall bad economy.

Experts say Giant Eagle is likely making the move to stay competitive.

"Giant Eagle tends to be more expensive," says shopper Ann Luther. "I think they tend to set their prices up higher so that when they offer a sale, they can... it will look like it's better but it's about the same as everybody else's. Maybe this will get theirs down to where everybody else is."

"It just is a parallel of what's happening with the whole economy," Point Park Business Management Professor Elaine Luther said. "The middle class is going away; the people with a lot of money can be picky and spend quite a bit of money on food, and the people on the other end are just making ends meet. So they're trying to match that side, but also have the quality food."

Giant Eagle says the reduced prices won't expire, and that the chain will continue to honor double coupons and offer FuelPerks.

Customers say the change could make the difference on where they decide to shop.

"They might be losing some customers. They lower their prices, then you leave Aldi and all them other stores and go back to Giant Eagle," Mike Lewis, another Giant Eagle shopper, said.

Giant Eagle says it also plans to expand its donations to local food banks by 500,000 meals all in an effort to support the community's needs.

The majority of the reductions will take place by April 11.

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