In support of Military Family Appreciation month in November, Meijer will host a virtual Roadmap to Retail event for veteran-owned businesses.
The merchandising event will take place Nov. 7, with the professional services event following the next day.
Led by the Meijer Supplier Inclusion team, in partnership with mVets, Roadmap to Retail will offer vendors the opportunity to showcase their products and services for possible inclusion on store shelves.
“Supporting veteran-owned businesses isn’t just about honoring their service, it’s about harnessing the incredible potential they bring to the business world,” said Todd Weer, SVP of stores and executive sponsor of mVets at Meijer.
“Veterans are equipped with a unique set of skills, including adaptability, teamwork and unwavering determination. By supporting these businesses, we not only salute their sacrifice but also unlock innovation and opportunity that can benefit us all.”
Roadmap to Retail will address various forms of doing business with Meijer. It’s intended for any business that is not a current vendor but would like to learn more becoming one. Meijer aims to build relationships with veteran-owned suppliers to expand its veteran-owned product offerings in categories storewide.
How to participate
- Merchant vendors can apply for consideration here.
- Professional services vendors can apply for consideration here.
- Once applications are submitted, the supplier inclusion team will send vendors an invite to join the virtual Roadmap to Retail Webinar by Oct. 27.
This is the retailer’s latest supplier diversity effort to ensure products represent its customer base. Meijer began focusing on supplier diversity in 2020 as part of its DEI journey.
“The Meijer supplier inclusion program has grown tremendously this year and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see these small, yet mighty, vendors thrive and expand their products across our six-state footprint,” said Carla Hendon, director of supplier inclusion at Meijer.
“Supporting diverse businesses aligns with our values, as it not only empowers these entrepreneurs on their own journeys, but also enriches our communities.”
Meijer features an array of veteran-owned products in its supercenters, grocery format and hyper-local market format stores around the six states it serves.
In 2020, Meijer launched mVets, its team member resource group for veterans, to help it attract, develop and retain armed service members and their families as team members and customers. mVets offers Meijer employees educational and community volunteer service opportunities, as well as shared experiences.
Read more independent store news from The Shelby Report.
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