Superstore chain Meijer Inc. is the only Michigan company this year to make the country's "Hot 100 Retailers," a sign that the Grand Rapids company has adapted to national competitors with steady growth while attracting national attention.
The family-owned firm placed No. 88 on the list by a National Retail Federation publication based on sales growth from 2010 to 2011 and domestic sales of more than $300 million. The honor came as Meijer prepares to open its first store in Detroit early next summer and its first outlet in Wisconsin in 2014.
"We didn't notice that we were on this list," said Hank Meijer, 60, the co-owner of the 50-year-old company with 60,000 employees. "What we are conscious of is a responsibility as a company of Michigan to serve the people of Michigan, to see that we are taking care of our customers' every day needs."
But STORES magazine did take note, estimating that Meijer had $16.5 billion in retail sales in 2011. The chain operates 199 stores in five states — including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky — with Wisconsin scheduled to join the list in two years.
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