By Sara Wiercinski
A hard-discount grocery store named MERE will open in September at 534 E. 99th St, the largest and western-most lot within the Holmeswood Shopping Center off Holmes Rd.
The chain is similar in concept to Aldi, though more heavily discounted, with a warehouse-like ambiance and staffing only a few employees for low operating costs. MERE stores have no shelves and sell products in bulk from pallets. Offerings will include fresh produce, household goods and frozen products.
MERE is the global division of of the Russian discount grocery chain, Svetofor. The first MERE opened in Europe in 2017 and has grown to more than 3,000 stores there and in Commonwealth of Independent States countries, and expanding into Western Europe, North and South America.
According to Altana Korniakova, Regional Manager for MERE USA, this will be the retail chain’s first U.S. store. MERE plans to open six additional stores by the end of the year in Missouri and Kansas.
Korniakova said MERE selected the Kansas City area as an ideal central place to launch the brand in America.
According to a 2021 article in Supermarket News, MERE’s property strategy differs from Aldi: while the latter operates in existing retail centers to take advantage of traffic, MERE targets “areas that are ‘not quite’ food deserts,” aiming to draw in customers with prices reported to be 20% less than Aldi.
Development Manager Matt Watkins of MERE USA in Missouri is planning a soft opening for early to mid-September. Space upgrades include installation of a walk-in cooler.
Contagious Life Church previously occupied the space and moved in September 2022.
Also located within Holmeswood Shopping Center are child care facility Next Generation Prep, Mister John’s Professional Grooming, Legacy Cutz Barbershop and Quinn’s Laundry.
Across the street is Dollar General at 551 E. 99th St, which sells basic grocery products such as fresh dairy, eggs and bread but no fresh produce.
Learn more at usa.mere.pro.