You might find it a bit easier to read the labels while shopping at Meijer of Benton Harbor, Stevensville and South Haven. In fact, every Meijer store is slated for lighting upgrades over the next couple of years as the Grand Rapids-based retailer increases its sustainability initiatives by going to all LED lighting at every store.
Meijer has revealed that the are transitioning interior lighting of every store in the chain by the year 2021 not only for sustainability efforts, but to increase lighting quality and more. The transition will affect all Meijer stores across the retailer’s six-state footprint. Meijer expects the change will reduce its lighting electrical use by as much as 50-percent annually.
The LED transition is the latest initiative in the company’s long-standing commitment to sound environmental practices. Meijer regularly applies innovative and sustainable procedures into its store and supply chain operations, such as constructing energy-efficient buildings, using an industry-leading, low-emissions truck fleet, and offering a wide selection of local and sustainable product offerings.
The LEDs being used in the investment are supplied by GE, Cooper and Phillips. Meijer plans to transition all in-store interior lighting, including ceiling and spotlight illumination. LED lights are 70-percent more efficient, improve lighting quality, and have a lifespan more than twice that of traditional lighting. Meijer introduced its first all-LED store in Beavercreek, Ohio in 2013 as shown in the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.
Rick Keyes, President & CEO of Meijer says, “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.” Keyes adds, “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.”
The four-year project launched in June with the company’s 100+ Michigan stores. The retailer will phase in other Meijer locations state-by-state within its six-state footprint so the stores can remain open during the installation process.
Since 2005, Meijer has made great strides in energy efficiency, decreasing energy usage in stores by 25 percent per square foot. Since 2007, all Meijer stores, including the Stevensville and South Haven sites, have been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
Meijer has also been at the forefront of LED technology for customers. In 2014, Meijer expanded its selection of energy-efficient light bulbs for customers 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 while partnering with Meijer to educate consumers about LED technology as the industry phased out incandescent bulbs.
Meijer operates more than 240 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the “one-stop shopping” concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, you can click to their online presence at: www.meijer.com.
