Meijer sees potential in Detroit

Retailers don't deliver growth like that by being stupid, slow to move or captive to half-truths, cynicism and conventional wisdom. They aim to be a half-step ahead of the competition, to do their homework, to be well-positioned when conditions improve, to serve markets that have been there all along.

"We have numbers that show $1.7 billion is spent by Detroiters outside Detroit for retail," says George Jackson, president of the quasi-public Detroit Economic Growth Corp. "That's a powerful number. Building something in the city ... gives a store like Meijer a competitive advantage.

"It's not like Detroit doesn't have buying power," he continues, referring to the success of a Home Depot outlet at Seven Mile and Meyers. "There is a market here. Meijer will benefit greatly from this move."