Market to stop selling cigarettes to “protect the health of its customers.” No word on when they’ll stop selling red meat, ice cream, candy, cookies, etc

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hiller’s Markets to stop selling cigarettes

Jennifer Youssef / The Detroit News

Hiller’s Markets Inc. will stop selling cigarettes at its seven Metro Detroit stores to protect the health of its customers, the Southfield-based company announced this morning.

CEO Jim Hiller said the decision was a difficult one. He said that although he wants to provide customers with a variety of items, smoking is an unhealthy habit and it’s in the best interest of customers for the company to stop selling cigarettes.

“I’ve agonized over this decision,” he said. “My personal beliefs are intertwined with my business ethos and to continue to sell cigarettes runs contrary to my personal commitment to this community and its future.”

Hiller’s is a family-owned grocer and was founded in 1941. The company has stores in Berkley, Commerce Township, West Bloomfield Township, Northville, Plymouth, Union Lake and Ann Arbor.