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Meijer

Midwest grocery chain Meijer was founded in 1934 in Greenville, Mich. by Hendrik Meijer, aa Dutch immigrant. After noticing local grocery trends, Meijer began to offer self-service shopping and shopping carts, which was uncommon at the time. He also offered staple items, such as vinegar, at bargain prices during the Great Depression.

While experiencing growth in the 40’s and 50’s, Meijer introduced the store format still used today in 1962 as a hybrid between a grocery store and a department store, coming in at 180,000-square-feet.

Meijer has never gone public, remaining a private company for 90 years.

The chain currently has 248 locations as of 2021 and operates stores in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.

Many Meijer locations feature a gas station or a C-store in addition to the grocery and department store model. The stores are almost all 24/7 with the exception of Christmas Day.

Key Data: Meijer

Headquarters: Walker, Mich.

U.S. Retail Banners: Meijer, Bridge Street Market, Woodward Corner Market

2020 Sales: $21 billion

2020 Store Locations: 248

Annual Growth (Top 50)

CEO: Rick Keyes

Source: Meijer

Highlights