Meijer unveils Marketplace store concept in Chicago

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Grocery retailer Meijer announced it will open a fourteenth Chicago-area store, this one under its Meijer Marketplace banner designed to bring a smaller-size localized concept to the Melrose Park neighborhood.



Meijer Marketplace spans 96,000 sq. ft. – about half the size of the grocer’s supercenters – and features a tailored offering as well as a variety of general merchandise items.



“Meijer Marketplace is a dramatic step for us as we work toward bringing everything that’s great about Meijer to a more diverse group of customers,” said Hank Meijer, co-chairman and CEO of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. “The Chicago market continues to be a very important growth area for us, and our new Meijer Marketplace concept will bring yet another unique offering to our Chicago-area customers.”



Much of the focus on the new store in Melrose Park will be on providing a total grocery shopping experience with fresh meats and produce, as well as a variety of deli, bakery and pantry items. The new Meijer store will include a targeted focus on Hispanic and Italian foods, providing a new shopping option for the ethnically diverse community nearby.



In the general merchandise area, the Meijer Marketplace will feature key categories such as electronics, seasonal items, toys, sporting goods and a pet department.



Meijer currently has 13 stores in the Chicago area ranging in size from full supercenters to smaller, grocery-focused stores in Niles and Orland Park.