Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based The Giant Co. has named Glennis Harris as SVP of customer experience, effective March 22. Harris succeeds John Ponnett, who is retiring from the company on April 2.
As SVP of customer experience, Harris will oversee all stores and the company’s e-commerce fulfillment centers as well as asset protection and safety, delivery operations and store support. She will report directly to Nicholas Bertram, president of The Giant Co.
“Glennis is more than a brilliant operator; she’s also unusually skilled at developing talent and creating an irresistible culture. Her rapid advancement in the fashion industry was no surprise to me, having appreciated her growth mindset while in grocery,” said Bertram. “I’m delighted to welcome her to The Giant Co.’s leadership team, and I am convinced that she will elevate the experience of our millions of customers no matter when, how or where they engage our brands.”
Harris began her career in 1987 at Supervalu, working as a store director. Over the next decade, she held a variety of positions in increasing responsibility across multiple functions including operations, marketing and merchandising. In 2012, Harris joined Ross Stores Inc., which operates Ross Dress for Less, the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the U.S., and DD’s Discounts as district manager and was named zone director in 2014. Most recently, she served as regional VP for Ross in the Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. areas, a position she has held since 2019.
Harris holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and holds a Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
“My career began in grocery, so I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the industry. Joining The Giant Co. is a homecoming of sorts, and I couldn’t be more excited,” Harris said. “I’ve been impressed with how The Giant Co. is transforming the business and all that they have achieved over the last few years, and I am looking forward to working with Nick and the entire team to create an omnichannel experience unlike any other in the industry.”
“On behalf of the entire Giant Co. team, I thank John for his dedication and many significant contributions to our company over his 30-year career, most notably the leadership he displayed last year during one of the most challenging times in company history,” said Bertram. “From his beginning as a part-time clerk at our original Middletown, Pennsylvania store to his current role, John’s tremendous influence on our business will not be forgotten, and his legacy will live on in the many team members he’s mentored over the years.”
