Meijer Family Pioneers in Grocery Retail with a Net Worth of $15,9 Billion

The Meijer family, renowned for their grocery store empire valued at $15.9 billion, holds the 27th position on the list of 45 families with net worths exceeding $10 billion. With its headquarters nestled in Grand Rapids, the supermarket chain traces its roots back to Greenville, Michigan, in 1934, amid the Great Depression.

Hendrik Meijer, a Dutch immigrant, embarked on the entrepreneurial journey by utilizing $338.75 worth of merchandise to establish a modest grocery store in the city. Together with his son, Frederick Meijer, they laid the groundwork for the modern supercenter concept. By the 1960s and 70s, Meijer had established a presence with multiple stores across the state, subsequently expanding into neighboring states.

Presently, the Meijer grocery giant boasts over 240 stores across six states, as per its official website. The mantle of leadership has transitioned to Doug, Hank, and Mark Meijer, all sons of Frederick Meijer, who collectively own and oversee the operations of the grocery chain, serving on the company’s board of directors.

Based in Michigan, the Meijer grocery store chain spans across the Midwest, boasting estimated revenues of $21 billion. Founded by Hendrik Meijer in 1934, the company remains a testament to family ownership, retaining its status as a 100% family-owned enterprise. Hendrik and his son Frederick blazed trails in retail innovation with the introduction of the one-stop shopping concept in 1962 through the inception of Thrifty Acres.

Continuing the family’s legacy, Hendrik’s grandson, Hank, assumes the role of executive chairman, with brothers Doug and Mark also contributing their expertise on the board. Notably, Hank’s son, Peter, entered the political arena, securing a seat in Congress from Michigan in 2020. However, after voting to impeach Donald Trump the following year, he faced defeat in the Republican primary in 2022. Undeterred, he has set his sights on the Senate, exemplifying the family’s enduring commitment to public service and community engagement.

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