Richmond, VA  The first four former Ukrop's Super Markets reopened under the MARTIN'S banner this morning at 8:00 a.m. The stores located at 3107 15 Boulevard, Colonial Heights; 10150 Brook Road, Glen Allen; 3460 Pump Road, Richmond and 4660 Monticello Avenue, Williamsburg were closed for the past week as each store underwent a multi-million dollar remodel and update of amenities.

"We are excited to finally introduce the MARTIN'S shopping experience to the community," said Jim Scanlon, regional vice president. "There are plenty of exciting new features combined with old favorites, providing a greater assortment of products and savings in every aisle of the store."

Beginning today, the four new MARTIN'S are open on Sundays. MARTIN'S has also hired 3,600 associates from Ukrop's to provide customers with the same friendly faces and high level of customer service they have come to expect while shopping. They will be available to continue the tradition of carrying groceries to shoppers' cars. "Associates will automatically carry our customers' groceries to their cars," said Scanlon. "In fact, we've purchased brand-new carry-out carts for our associates to use along with brand-new carts for our customers."

With the remodel, key departments such as produce, bakery, deli, meat and seafood have been updated to provide a clean and up-to-date look. "While all store aisles have been updated with new signage, we've worked hard to keep products in the same general location. At the same time, we will be bringing an improved selection to customers across the store."

MARTIN'S has a strong commitment to buying local and will continue to feature locally grown produce in all of its stores. The produce department will feature a dramatic increase in variety along with "the best salad bar in town."

Additionally, customers will find kitchen and bakery products supplied by Ukrop's and featuring the same favorite recipes. "Ukrop's has a rich history of making high quality baked goods and prepared entrees and we are happy to continue to offer this well-loved tradition," continued Scanlon. "While there are plenty of new features at MARTIN's, customers can still find their Ukrop's brand favorites."

Cafes will be called the Ukrop's Cafes. "Our caf￩s are gathering places and each one will have new furniture and be wired with Wi-Fi capability," continued Scanlon.

Emphasizing MARTIN'S ongoing commitment to health and wellness, customers will find a deeper assortment of natural and organic products in a dedicated section, which includes more than 2,500 frozen, dairy, grocery and special diet selections and features a gluten-free product area for customers.

MARTIN'S full-service pharmacies are staffed with the same knowledgeable pharmacists available to fill prescriptions along with providing informational materials about healthy living, disease and diet. A new program to Richmond and Williamsburg, MARTIN'S pharmacies will offer more than 300 generic prescriptions for under $10 in addition to providing customers with a 14-day supply of 37 different generic antibiotics for free, with a valid prescription.

MARTIN'S has also installed state-of-the-art technology to provide added convenience for shoppers. The number of self-checkouts, known as EasyScan, has been increased per store and in the coming weeks self check-outs will be added to five stores that previously did not offer this amenity. EasyWeigh scales enable customers to weigh their produce, bulk food and other items making checkout quick and easy. MARTIN'S award-winning Shopping Solutions kiosks, which are conveniently located throughout the store, enable customers to use the interactive touch-screen to check personalized BONUSCARD savings offers, print off coupons, find meal recipes and locate an item in the store.

"With the remodels at the first four stores now completed, we hope customers are as excited as we are about what has changed and what has remained the same," added Scanlon.

As MARTIN'S continues its multi-million dollar investment in the Richmond market, four to five Ukrop's stores at a time will continue to temporarily close for one week, but pharmacies and banks will remain open for customer convenience. MARTIN'S will complete the conversion of all 25 stores on May 17. The extent of the remodels and addition of new amenities will vary by store.

About GIANT/MARTIN'S

The Giant-Carlisle Division of Ahold USA, headquartered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is a leading supermarket chain in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia with grocery stores operating under the names of GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN'S Food Markets. GIANT and MARTIN'S are proud to work with hundreds of local organizations in the communities they serve and have a long-standing commitment to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for children. For more information, visit www.MartinsFoods.com.

ATTACHMENT: MARTIN'S STORE AMENITIES * Exact amenities vary by store

* Bakery - MARTIN'S still features all of your favorite Ukrop's Bakery items like rainbow cookies and White House rolls. Decorated Cakes finished from original recipe butter cream icing are still sure to please as are our Chess pies and freshly baked Artisan Breads.

* Meat and Seafood - Featuring 100% U.S.D.A. Choice Grade Beef, All-Natural Pork, and Grade-A Chicken - all with no water or salt added and offering a vast selection of steaks, filets and shellfish, all delivered fresh daily. Using the same supplier as Ukrop's, MARTIN'S is offering a full line of Nature's Promise Beef, Pork and Chicken that has been fed a 100% all vegetarian diet, without administered antibiotics or growth hormones.

* Produce - In addition to a bountiful assortment of fresh and locally-grown fruits and vegetables, this department includes an expanded organic section with fresh organic produce items, along with the "best salad bar in town."

* Flowers - To celebrate life's special moments, the floral department features a full variety of roses including Certified Fair Trade Roses and EPA award-winning bunch flowers.

* Delicatessen - Brings the freshest assortment of Deli meats and cheeses proudly featuring products from Boar's Head, not to mention an upgraded assortment of Specialty Cheese from around the world. Customers can enjoy great-tasting Ukrop's Kitchen quick and easy homestyle favorites. Be sure to try all of the original recipe Ukrop's favorites including pizza, panini, fried chicken, and homemade soups. Our Chef's Specials, all made fresh daily using the same original recipes, are made by real chefs! In addition, customers can enjoy fresh Sushi handmade daily by chefs from Hissho Sushi.

* Ukrop's Cafe - All cafes will receive new tables and chairs and will be wired for Wi-Fi capability. Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a cold beverage. Customers can check email or surf the Internet in a comfortable cafe setting.

* Drugstore - 19 stores feature a full service pharmacy for taking care of you and your family. The Health and Beauty Care department offers health and beauty products at prices 10-15 percent lower than chain drugstores.

* Customer Convenience Offerings - MARTIN'S will continue to offer postage stamps, Ticket Master Event Tickets, bus tickets, Rug Doctor rentals, Coinstar, dry cleaning and propane. Additional offerings designed to meet customer convenience needs include Western Union money transfers and money orders, Western Union utility payments, on-line lottery tickets, Instant lottery tickets and RedBox movie rental kiosk.