Meijer is expanding its opportunities for veteran-owned businesses next month.
The retailer will host a virtual “Roadmap to Retail” event for veteran-owned businesses, offering qualified vendors the chance to showcase their products and services for Meijer merchants to consider having on store shelves. This announcement comes right before Military Family Appreciation Month in November.
This event is organized by the Meijer Supplier Inclusion team, in partnership with mVets, the Meijer Team Member Resource Group (TMRG) for veterans, active military members, and their families. The inaugural Roadmap to Retail series will occur Nov. 7-8. Specifically, the merchandising event will take place on Nov. 7 and the professional services event will be held on Nov. 8.
“Supporting veteran-owned businesses isn’t just about honoring their service; it’s about harnessing the incredible potential they bring to the business world,” says Todd Weer, Senior Vice President 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.”
This event is the latest supplier diversity effort to ensure that the retailer’s products best represent its customer base. Meijer began focusing on supplier diversity in 2020 as part of its DEI initiative.
“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,” says 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 currently features a wide array of veteran-owned products in its supercenters, grocery format, and hyper-local market format stores around the six states it serves. The company’s strong commitment to veterans, active military members, and their families is demonstrated by support for team members and ongoing partnerships with veterans’ groups and veteran-affiliated charitable organizations across Meijer’s Midwest footprint.
“Veterans leave the service with unique skills and abilities that can’t be replicated anywhere else that make them natural leaders in the small business space,” says Adam Hollier, former Director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). “This opportunity for veteran-owned small businesses is an innovative way that Meijer continues to support veterans and I hope our veteran small business owners will take advantage of this opportunity to get their products in front of one of the largest retailers in the Midwest.”
In 2022, Meijer achieved Gold-level status as a Veteran-Friendly Employer (VFE) from the MVAA as the first retailer to earn the MVAA’s Gold-level honor.
To participate in the event, merchant vendors can apply for consideration here and professional services vendors can apply 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.
