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Fred Meijer: Stories of His Life
Retailing pioneer Fred Meijer comes alive in the pages of this intimate biography, told in part by the people in Fred's life ― from store cashiers to American presidents. Astute businessman, visionary arts patron, homespun philosopher ― Fred is a man of many parts. His story weaves a chronicle of how to succeed in business, how to shape one's life, how to leave the world a better place, and how to have fun along the way. / "Fred, in his unpretentious way, has always been a leader. . . . He is able, he is dedicated, and he's fun."― Gerald R. Ford / "I have always admired Fred Meijer as the great visionary who first recognized the potential of the supercenter in the United States. As we developed our Wal-Mart model, we learned a great deal by watching what he did."― Don Soderquist - former Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Wal-Mart / "Fred Meijer's life story is a supersize grocery cart, full to the brim with values that we should live by ― honesty, fairness, and respect for others."― Mike Lloyd - Grand Rapids Press
363 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 19, 2021
I am a loyal customer of Meijer stores (note: the Midwest stores that originated in Michigan, not the "Fred Meyer" stores in the western US), and picked up this biography of the founder, Fred Meijer, when visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park a few years ago. I wanted to read about the person who started the stores I enjoyed shopping at since childhood. I was unprepared for how much appreciation and respect this book would inspire both for the founder and for the stores themselves.
Fred was a humble, generous, caring, and dedicated friend, father, husband, son, and businessman. I can think of very few examples of executives who were loved and respected so well by colleagues, employees, peers, friends, and family members across the board, and deserved that kind of devotion. He put employees and customers first in his business, respected others across race, ethnicity, and gender divides, was a generous philanthropist, and still made time to attend his kids' activities and serve on the school PTA board. This book has countless stories of how he would take time to talk to employees in his stores and shake their hands, thanking them for their work, remembering their names, asking them about their families, and following-up with them days, months, and even years later. He'd let employees use the company plane to get family members with serious health conditions to remote hospitals for specialized medical treatments with greater ease. He put a mobile home, paid for by him, on the property of an employee whose house burnt down so the employee's children, including one with special needs, could keep attending the same schools while their home was being rebuilt. He asked his executives to park further away from the store doors so customers would get the closer spots, and had unmarked parking spaces because he thought those who got to work earlier should get the best places. He'd pick up litter in the parking lots and roll carts back into each Meijer store he visited, and would sometimes hop into the checkout lines to help bag groceries if he noticed the lines were busy. He drove used company cars when they were turned in by the executives after passing 60,000 miles. He and his wife, Lena, did their own shopping at Meijer, paid for what they got, and even shopped for their own clothing there. The medical field, arts, and botanical garden in Grand Rapids, MI all have facilities bearing his name due to his generosity giving back to the community. He was ahead of his time in retail, and in the way he treated people from all backgrounds: as equals.
I've loved Meijer because you can practically get anything at those stores, at a great price, with their "one-stop shopping" blueprint. A blueprint that was unheard of in retail when it began, and that Walmart itself copied when it planned its stores. Honestly, this read was far more enjoyable than I could have predicted, and I can't believe I love shopping at Meijer even more now than I did before! The corporate culture of the stores is infused with Fred's values, and I hope and pray it remains that way for generations to come. I can't think of a better organization to support long-term, and am so glad I read this book to get the context on how Meijer stores came into being, as well as the man behind them. Thank you, Meijer! :)
Fred was a humble, generous, caring, and dedicated friend, father, husband, son, and businessman. I can think of very few examples of executives who were loved and respected so well by colleagues, employees, peers, friends, and family members across the board, and deserved that kind of devotion. He put employees and customers first in his business, respected others across race, ethnicity, and gender divides, was a generous philanthropist, and still made time to attend his kids' activities and serve on the school PTA board. This book has countless stories of how he would take time to talk to employees in his stores and shake their hands, thanking them for their work, remembering their names, asking them about their families, and following-up with them days, months, and even years later. He'd let employees use the company plane to get family members with serious health conditions to remote hospitals for specialized medical treatments with greater ease. He put a mobile home, paid for by him, on the property of an employee whose house burnt down so the employee's children, including one with special needs, could keep attending the same schools while their home was being rebuilt. He asked his executives to park further away from the store doors so customers would get the closer spots, and had unmarked parking spaces because he thought those who got to work earlier should get the best places. He'd pick up litter in the parking lots and roll carts back into each Meijer store he visited, and would sometimes hop into the checkout lines to help bag groceries if he noticed the lines were busy. He drove used company cars when they were turned in by the executives after passing 60,000 miles. He and his wife, Lena, did their own shopping at Meijer, paid for what they got, and even shopped for their own clothing there. The medical field, arts, and botanical garden in Grand Rapids, MI all have facilities bearing his name due to his generosity giving back to the community. He was ahead of his time in retail, and in the way he treated people from all backgrounds: as equals.
I've loved Meijer because you can practically get anything at those stores, at a great price, with their "one-stop shopping" blueprint. A blueprint that was unheard of in retail when it began, and that Walmart itself copied when it planned its stores. Honestly, this read was far more enjoyable than I could have predicted, and I can't believe I love shopping at Meijer even more now than I did before! The corporate culture of the stores is infused with Fred's values, and I hope and pray it remains that way for generations to come. I can't think of a better organization to support long-term, and am so glad I read this book to get the context on how Meijer stores came into being, as well as the man behind them. Thank you, Meijer! :)
August 12, 2013
Enjoyed reading the stories about this hard working, humble, kind Dutch man. Although he was on Forbes list of wealthiest people he still lived in the ranch home he raised his boys in. His values of honesty, fairness and respect for others are inspirational. Cant wait to visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens!
December 14, 2025
For those not familiar with the Meijer chain, Bill Smith's "Fred Meijer: Stories of His Life" is a book that may mean absolutely nothing to you; however, for those of us who have been in this chain the book is biography of its founder written in 2009. Smith's story isn't perfect due to the number of anecdotes that at time interrupt the writing of this book, however those stories add the personality of Fred Meijer and why the chain did what it did and continues to do to this day. It's interesting to realize the innovation this chain had in its existence and how that personal touch which is still there today remains in place. As the chain itself continues to expand through the Midwest & into parts of Kentucky, the story of its founder is a reminder of the loyalty people have to the chain and why it still exists.
September 16, 2019
After visiting the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, I wanted to learn more about the man it was named after. He was inspired by his grandmother saying “the eye wants something, too”. His interpretation meaning there has to be more to life than eating, sleeping and going to work.
The Meijer history and entrepreneurial spirit is interesting, yet the way the book flows is predominately stories from employees and acquaintances. I wish Fred had written his own autobiography!
Hard work with a vision for the future. Turning nothing into something, all while exhibiting modesty and treating others with dignity. Plus the tremendous philanthropy and giving back! An amazing family legacy.
The Meijer history and entrepreneurial spirit is interesting, yet the way the book flows is predominately stories from employees and acquaintances. I wish Fred had written his own autobiography!
Hard work with a vision for the future. Turning nothing into something, all while exhibiting modesty and treating others with dignity. Plus the tremendous philanthropy and giving back! An amazing family legacy.
December 27, 2024
A wonderfully written and well compiled origin story and history of one of America's most pioneering mass market retailers. A compelling story of immigrant grit and how they can change things for the better. As a U.S. immigrant with a background in consumer packaged goods retailing, it resonated personally but is also a lesson in how to build a great company and leave a meaningful legacy. Should be required reading for MBAs.
December 1, 2020
I wanted to read this because I volunteer at FMG, and many of our guests either met him or ask questions. Good book, amazing success story, great guy.
February 8, 2024
Loved it! What a great family!
August 17, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5: A heartwarming and educational accounting of a life well lived. Wish I would’ve been able to meet Fred during my brief time at Meijer.
October 9, 2025
They just don’t make them like Fred Meijer now a days what a great story about his life and legacy.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews