Meijer’s Forthcoming Small Format Seeks Hyperlocal Products

Meijer’s fourth small-format store, Rivertown Market in Detroit, is searching for hyperlocal products—2,000 items to be exact—to fill its shelves upon opening later this year. Store Manager Marcus Reliford set the goal and is inviting local businesses to submit their offerings for consideration.

“We want to help local businesses succeed,” said Reliford, a Detroit native who joined Meijer in September 2020. “We want to showcase all Detroit has to offer and believe Rivertown Market is place to do it.”

Much like the retailer’s three other small format stores in Michigan—Bridge Street Market in Grand Rapids, Woodward Corner Market in Royal Oak and Capital City Market in Lansing—Rivertown Market will focus on offering customers a vast assortment of fresh food, artisanal groceries and Meijer and national brand products at low prices.

Construction is underway on the 42,000-square-foot Rivertown Market at 1475 East Jefferson Ave. The standalone neighborhood market will create about 60 jobs, offer competitive wages and access to health benefits as well as a 401(k) program with a company match.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer will leverage its ongoing partnership with RangeMe, an Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) company that the retailer is also using to source local products for all its stores as part of its Localization Summit, to manage Rivertown Market’s product submissions by qualifying and connecting suppliers with the appropriate buyers.

Related:Peek Inside Woodward Corner, Meijer’s Latest Small-Format Store

“Our small format stores have always had the autonomy to stock the local products that fit their communities’ needs,” said Justin Stricklen, director of market format stores for Meijer. “This is the first time we’ve put out a call for those vendors to raise their hands and showcase their offerings. We believe there is a lot of potential out there, and we’re excited to begin building those lasting partnerships to benefit our customers.”