Meijer Expands Chicago Presence With New Oswego Store

Grand Rapids, MI - Adding to its growing presence in suburban Chicago, Meijer opens a new store in Oswego, opening the doors to this new supercenter to Chicagoland customers on Wednesday, May 9 at 7:30 a.m. following a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Meijer Family, President of the company and Oswego officials.

"We entered the Chicago market in 1999 and are committed to providing more and more Chicagoland customers with the high quality, low price convenience of a Meijer supercenter," said Hank Meijer, Co-Chairman and CEO.

The new Oswego Meijer is located at the corner of Route 34 and Douglas Road. "We have nearly 500 great people to provide friendly service to our customers," said Rick Peterson, the Oswego Meijer's Store Director. "When Meijer started the supercenter format, we were responding to the needs of our customers. Today, we provide the format of choice for busy shoppers, like those in Chicago. Being adaptive to meet the demands of our customers allows us to maintain a competitive edge and grow."

Meijer will open a total of five stores this year, including 3 stores in Michigan, and plans to open seven more in 2008. In addition to new stores, Meijer has a robust remodel schedule to update and improve existing stores in Michigan and across the Midwest. In the Chicago market, where Meijer now has 11 stores from McHenry to Plainfield, every Meijer store is being enhanced and improved to localize products and make the shopping experience easier. The new stores are roughly 210,000 square feet, roughly three football fields in size, but are designed to move product quickly from the shipping area to the shelves -- which allows for a more effective and efficient flow and assists in controlling costs.

With the focus on enhancing the shopping experience, customers will notice the stores adjacencies. Kitchen supplies and small appliances are located near the grocery aisle; the Baby section is complete with food, diapers, strollers and clothing -- making it convenient for moms on the go; Pharmacy is moved to the front of the store with Health and Beauty Care; Jewelry, Greeting Cards, and Floral have been moved up front to provide the convenience of one- stop-gift buying; Grocery aisles were widened and shelving units lowered to provide more light and create a welcoming atmosphere; Pets Supplies is across the aisle from Grocery; the fashions area will use point of purchase displays and create a department store atmosphere. The store layout is designed to provide easy shopping with a solutions focus.

In addition to the configuration of the stores, Meijer customers are enjoying many new product offerings, including more than 150 Meijer Brand Organic items and many local Chicago favorites. At the store's pharmacy, Meijer's ongoing Free Antibiotic program will be available at the new Oswego store as well.

"We are committed to growing in the Chicago market and across our 5 state region," said Stacie Behler, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. "Each grand opening allows us to invite new customers into our stores and deliver on a promise that was made to Meijer customers nearly 75 years ago ... to provide higher standards with lower prices."

Meijer is a Michigan-based family owned and operated grocery and general merchandise supercenter retailer now operating 178 stores throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. The Meijer Family has led the company since its inception in 1934.

SOURCE: Meijer