Meijer debuts new store format

Grand Rapids, Mich. Meijer is opening the company's first smaller format, grocery-focused store in the Chicago suburb of Niles on Tuesday.

The new location is about half the size of most Meijer supercenters at 102,000 sq. ft. The store is grocery and pharmacy focused, while still providing some general merchandise offerings. The location will be Meijer’s twelfth store in suburban Chicago.

The population of Niles, Ill., includes a diverse mix of cultures including Asian, Hispanic and Eastern European and the new Niles Meijer will feature many grocery items geared toward the diverse community that surrounds it.

"For several years, we have worked hard throughout the Midwest to offer specific grocery items that are relevant to the unique customer base in the communities we service," said Meijer president Mark Murray. "The Niles community is represented by a variety of cultures, and we are thrilled to be able to serve such a diverse community."

Meijer is also announcing plans to expand this new concept in the Chicago area by building a second grocery-focused store in Orland Park, Illinois. Construction of the planned store will begin in the coming weeks and includes a full renovation of a currently vacant retail site. It is slated to open later this year.