Meijer is looking for submissions from local and diverse-owned businesses for its latest supplier diversity event focusing on general merchandise and apparel.
Vendors who want to participate this year have to provide video submissions describing their brand and products, by Sunday, September 18. Those selected will have the opportunity to pitch their wares to Meijer merchants at a live virtual event this fall.
The retailer’s latest supplier diversity initiative is seeking certified minority-, LGBTQ+-, woman-, veteran- and disability-owned businesses based anywhere in the United States as well as local Midwest vendors from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin, those states where Meijer stores are located.
Diverse or locally-owned brands with retail-ready products in the general merchandise or apparel product categories must submit brief, three-minutes-or-less videos that provide background on their business and products. The videos don’t require professional product so event applicants can create them on smartphones.
Videos must include:
- An introduction of the operators and their operations
- Detailed descriptions of the products they provide
- Background on production and supply chain
- Recommended retail prices
Once they submit applications, Meijer teams will review and select finalists from among the participating businesses. Finalists will need to submit additional details through the retailer’s partner, RangeMe, and attend a training session before pitching their products live to Meijer merchants at the fall virtual event.
Even if they may not qualify for this event, diverse or local vendors offering products or services outside of the categories set for this fall should consider submitting their information for future consideration, Meijer noted.
“While we’ve made great strides to ensure our vendors represent our customers in terms of both diversity and geography across our stores, we’re excited to hold this event that specifically focuses on general merchandise and apparel,” said Peter Whitsett, Meijer executive vp of merchandising and marketing.
