Meijer Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Pioneering the Supercenter Concept

Innovative approach to retailing changed the way people shop

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Jun 14, 2012, 05:00 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- It has been 50 years since Hendrik and Fred Meijer opened "Thrifty Acres" in Grand Rapids, marking the birth of the nation's pioneering supercenter and an innovative concept that grew into a retail phenomenon.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120614/CG24479-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120614/CG24479-b)

"They didn't realize it at the time, but our father and grandfather were making history when they opened 'Thrifty Acres' in June 1962," said Hank Meijer, Co-Chairman. "The store offered groceries and general merchandise and enabled customers to enjoy 'one-stop shopping'."

Since then, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer has followed a course of steady growth, expanding into five Midwest states and employing more than 60,000 people in 198 stores, four distribution complexes and several manufacturing facilities.

During the last few years, Meijer has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in new and remodeled stores, expanded distribution facilities and new technology to help serve its customers better.

"We have always tried to leverage innovation to improve the shopping experience," said Co-Chairman Doug Meijer. "From the introduction of checkout scanners in the 1970s to the more recent launch of digital technologies such as our Meijer Find-It App and Mperks digital coupon program, we have worked hard to help our customers save money."

Meijer has also been known as a company that supports the communities where its customers and team members work and live. Each year, Meijer donates more than 6 percent of its net profit back to the communities it serves through a variety of charitable partnerships.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first supercenter at its original location, Meijer will host a customer appreciation picnic on June 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its 28th Street store. This store, which is located at 1540 28th St., S.E, just west of Kalamazoo Ave., opened in August 2010, and replaced the original store, which was remodeled and opened as the first supercenter on June 6, 1962. Some of the original wooden arches that supported the roof of the original store now welcome customers at the parking lot entrance on 28th Street.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 198 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

SOURCE Meijer