Detroit has a shortage of national retailers. What can officials do to attract more chains to the city?

The city of Detroit has hired a senior director of retail attraction to bring national and regional chains into the city.

By: Keion Harris, University of Michigan and Stephanie Leiser, University of Michigan, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 3, 2026

Words: 1,550

Last Updated: 56 minutes ago

By Keion Harris, University of Michigan and Stephanie Leiser, University of Michigan

Detroit’s borders encompass 139 square miles, a footprint large enough to fit Manhattan, Boston and San Francisco combined.

Yet, unlike these other urban centers, Detroit has a relatively low number of national “big-box” retailers.

Outside of the city’s downtown and midtown business districts, there exists one Home Depot, two full-sized Meijer locations and a Meijer mini-market within the city.

When …

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