Michigan-based Meijer shakes up retail scene in Wisconsin
Michigan-based Meijer shakes up retail scene in Wisconsin
Grand Rapids, MI-based Meijer, a retailer that operates 213 supercenters and grocery stores through Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, is now setting its sights on its next target — southeast Wisconsin.
As a pioneer in the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer will be taking its full-service stores into Wisconsin's highly competitive grocery market next summer by opening its first grocery/general merchandise supercenters in the region.
Plans for expansion into Wisconsin include opening stores in Wauwatosa, Oak Creek, Grafton and Kenosha in 2015, followed by locations in Waukesha, Greenfield and Sussex in 2016.
"It's a big deal for us," Hank Meijer, co-owner, co-chairman and chief executive officer of the retail chain, told the Journal Sentinel. "We've been in the five [states] for what, 20 years now. It's been a long time since we've opened up a new frontier for our company."
The company is investing $750 million and adding 7,000 jobs in order to establish itself in the state of Wisconsin, according to J.K. Symancyk, president of Meijer.
The supercenters include expanded fresh produce and meat departments; clothing for men, women and children; sporting goods; Meijer-branded products; and seasonal merchandise such as grills and landscape supplies. The stores will also have on-site pharmacies and gas stations.