Meijer intros two supermarkets in the Detroit metro

Meijer, the Michigan-based supercenter pioneer, has returned to its grocery business roots with the opening of two new supermarkets in the Detroit suburbs.

Both about 90,000 sq. ft. in size, the freestanding Meijer Grocery stores debuted this week in Lake Orion and Macomb Township, featuring expanded produce, health and beauty care, alcoholic beverage, and pet departments.

They also include free pick-up zones near the entrance for orders of $35 or more.

“Opening the doors of these stores feels particularly special because of the unique need they'll fulfill in our customers' everyday lives," said Hank Meijer, the company’s executive chairman. “We've opened more than 500 supercenters, neighborhood markets, and Meijer Express locations, and that feeling of excitement and anticipation as you welcome customers in for the first time never gets old.”

The Meijer Grocery design includes wide aisles and rear-access coolers that allow staffers to refill refrigerated items without getting in the way of shoppers.

The company has an intent to open more of the supermarkets at sizes of 75,000 to 90,000 sq. ft after monitoring the business at the two debut stores.

Meijer got its start in 1934 when Dutch immigrant Frederik Meijer opened a grocery store in Greenville, Mich. It offered staple items at bargain prices and was one of the first supermarkets to introduce shopping carts.

In 1987, it opened the first Hypermarket USA stores in the United States. That experience led to the creation of Meijer supercenters, 150,000-sq. ft. stores that sell clothing, electronics, sporting goods, toys, and automotive and household goods, as well as groceries.

The company operates 501 supercenters, neighborhood markets, Meijer Grocery, and Express locations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.r