A first-ever blueprint is readying to rapidly bolster Meijer’s supplier base, as the retailer is enacting a new play to broaden its selection of sustainable food items. With its first-ever Sustainability Supplier Summit, food providers from across the nation are being presented with the chance to introduce their sustainable products and brands to the retailer’s shelves.
"At Meijer, we understand that to be a good company, we must be a good neighbor, which is why we integrate environmental sustainability into our daily operations," noted Peter Whitsett, Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing. "But so much of what we do in this space extends beyond what customers see on our shelves, which was why we felt it was time to seek out sustainability-focused vendors to help us expand our significant base of sustainable product offerings."
The event comes on the heels of a recent survey Meijer conducted to identify environmental issues. Sourcing from companies with a strong commitment to sustainability, as well as expanding the retailer's offerings of sustainable products, were among the most notable topics.
The event will be held virtually from June 20–23, according to a press release, and will be put on in partnership with Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) and its subsidiary product discovery tool, RangeMe.
In order to meet its sustainability standards, Meijer merchants are targeting 38 different certifications on vendor products or their manufacturing and procurement processes. Certified vendors with retail-ready products can apply here by Tuesday, April 26 for consideration.
Meijer teams will review and select the vendors they would like to meet at the virtual summit. Suppliers who are not chosen for the summit will still be accessible through the RangeMe registration tool and may be reviewed by Meijer merchants again in the future, the press release continued.
For more details on this initiative, please click here.
Curious to see what sustainable new brands will find a home on Meijer’s shelves? Stay tuned to Deli Market News to find out.
