Meijer To Invest $75M In Stores; Energy Efficiency A Key
The Grand Rapids-based retail chain Meijer Inc. said Monday it would invest more than $75 million in a major remodel project for stores in Michigan and Ohio, with eight Michigan stores benefiting from this new initiative.
Said Hank Meijer, co-chairman and CEO of the company: "Our customers expect high standards from us, and our investment in these stores will ensure they continue to receive our best."
This initiative focuses on 10 stores in key locations throughout Michigan and Ohio. Planning has already begun in a number of stores and project completion is slated for the end of the year.
The stores benefiting from this project include:
Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor
Hull Road in Mason
26 Mile Road in Washington Township
Middlebelt Road in Livonia
M-59 in Plainwell
Fulton Road in Lowell
Century Center Drive in Grandville
Thirteen Mile Road in Madison Heights
Columbus Pike (US-23) in Orange Township, Ohio
Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio
These remodel projects include a variety of specific enhancements both inside and outside the store such as lighting, heating, refrigeration, exterior lighting and parking lot maintenance. Additionally, the introduction of newer technology in key areas during the remodel process results in reduced energy usage and a more energy-efficient store.
Meijer also plans to open two new stores in 2011. These include a 192,000 square foot supercenter in Stevensville, Michigan and Meijer's third "small format" store, which will be located in the Chicago suburb of Melrose Park. These two new stores represent an investment of more than $25 million and will create as many as 400 full and part-time jobs.
Since 2006, Meijer has opened 30 new stores and remodeled more than 60 others. This has resulted in the creation of more than 10,000 jobs and millions of dollars of tax revenue pumped into local communities.
"We continue our focus on slow, steady growth," said Hank Meijer. "This has allowed us to thrive in a tough retail environment, while supporting our customers, team members and the communities where they work and live."
Meijer operates 195 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. As the inventor of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings.
More at www.meijer.com.
