CINCINATTI, OH - Kroger has announced it will buy all seven Hiller's Market locations and close the Commerce Township location.
"They're going to operate six of the seven stores," Hiller's Vice President Justin Hiller said in The Detroit News. "The only store they will not operate is our location on Union Lake Road in Commerce Township because they have a brand-new store and fuel center directly across the street."
The six remaining stores will operate under the Hiller's banner until the sale is finalized in early July, when the locations will officially switch to the Kroger brand.
The companies have been in discussions about the acquisition for several months, but Hiller and Ken McClure, Consumer Communication Manager for Kroger, declined to comment on the financial terms of the sale.
"Hiller's associates are encouraged to apply for positions. Kroger is going to be hiring most of Hiller's employees,” McClure said. "Our intention is to take as many associates as possible who are a good fit and who are willing."
Kroger also partners with the same collective bargaining unit as Hiller's, according to The Detroit News, and keeping the union in place is expected to ease the transition for employees.
“We are excited to welcome Hiller’s customers into our stores and introduce them to our great people,” said Jayne Homco, President of Kroger’s Michigan division. “Hiller’s has a decades-long reputation of great customer service and outstanding selection of local and ethnic foods, and we look forward to continuing those traditions as we expand in this market.”
According to WXYZ Detroit, Hiller’s locations that are part of the sale agreement include: West Bloomfield, Ann Arbor, Northville, Plymouth, South Lyon and two stores in Commerce Township.
