Meijer is to test a smaller format grocery-focused shop in the Chicago suburb of Niles.

The 102,000 sq ft shop is about half the size of most Meijer supercentres and will open in the first quarter of 2010. Alongside grocery, it will also have a pharmacy and some general merchandise. The grocery items will be targeted at the Niles community.

Meijer president Mark Murray said: “For several years we have worked hard throughout the Midwest to offer specific grocery items that are relevant to the unique customer base in the communities we service.”