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Meijer transitions in-store lighting to LED

All locations to be converted over next four years

Russell Redman

July 19, 2018

2 Min Read
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To promote more efficient energy use, Meijer plans to change the interior lighting of all its stores to LED by 2021.

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based chain said the four-year project began last month at its 100-plus stores in Michigan. Plans call for other locations to be phased in state by state so they can remain open during the installation.

Meijer operates more than 240 supercenters and grocery stores across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

With the conversion to LED, Meijer said it expects to cut the electrical power use of its store lighting by as much as 50% annually. The LEDs — supplied by GE, Cooper and Phillips — will replace all in-store interior lighting, including ceiling and spotlight illumination.

Meijer_LED_lighting_Beavercreek_OH_coldcase_0.pngLED lights are 70% more efficient, improve lighting quality and last more than twice as long as traditional lighting, according to Meijer. The company introduced its first all-LED store in Beavercreek, Ohio, in October 2015.

"Our Beavercreek location served as a great test that led us down the path to planning a full-chain transition across our six-state footprint," said President and CEO Rick Keyes. "The lighting quality made possible by LEDs enhances the shopping experience for our customers and the work environment for team members while significantly decreasing energy usage."

Meijer noted that, since 2005, it has lowered energy use in its stores by 25% per square foot. And since 2007, all stores have been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The company said it uses innovative and sustainable practices in store and supply chain operations, including the construction of energy-efficient buildings, a low-emissions truck fleet, and stocking a wide assortment of local and sustainable products in stores.

Customers also have been a part of these efforts. In 2014, Meijer broadened its selection of energy-efficient light bulbs by partnering with GE Lighting to redesign and expand its retail lighting aisle. GE Lighting used the space to launch its new line of LED bulbs and worked with Meijer to educate consumers about LED technology as the industry phased out incandescent bulbs.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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