Meijer (Dutch, IPA: /?ma?.?r/) is a regional American hypermarket chain based in
Walker, Michigan. Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer is credited with
pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962. About half of the company's
182 locations are located in Michigan, with additional locations in Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The chain was ranked No. 10 on Forbes' 2006 list
of "America's Largest Private Companies".Supermarket News ranked Meijer No. 12
in the 2007 "Top 75 North American Food Retailers" based on 2006 fiscal year estimated
sales of $13.2 billion. Based on 2005 revenue, Meijer is the twenty-fifth
largest retailer in the United States.
eijer was founded as Meijer's
Grocery in Greenville, Michigan by Hendrik Meijer, a Dutch immigrant. Meijer
was a local barber who decided to enter the grocery business when hard times
came during the Great Depression. His first employees included his son, Fred Meijer,
then a 14-year-old grocery bagger, who would later become the chairman of
the company. The current co-chairmen, brothers Hank and Doug Meijer, are Hendrik's
grandsons. After studying trends in the grocery industry, Meijer was among
the first to offer self-service shopping and shopping carts. He also worked hard
to find and offer staple items, such as vinegar, at bargain prices. |
