Dollar General to Hold Summit for Potential New Vendors from Minority Businesses

Dollar General is inviting minority businesses to participate in the 2020 Supplier and Diversity Innovation Summit to present their products to merchandise buyers and category managers for the opportunity to commercialize them in Dollar General stores.

The virtual event for minority businesses that are certified as such will take place on September 16, said the company, which operates 16,500 stores in 46 states.

“We are excited to host our 2020 Supplier and Diversity Innovation Summit and engage with potential new vendors as part of Dollar General’s continual efforts to provide relevant products to our customers,” said Jason Reiser, Dollar General’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer.

According to Dollar General, in order to participate, suppliers must hold at least one of the diversity certifications and provide items listed in the categories below:

Diversity Certifications

  • Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
  • Women-Owned Small Business
  • Ethnic Minority-Owned- NMSDC Certified
  • State Certified Minority Owned
  • Veteran Owned- NaVOBA
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned- VA Confirmed
  • Disability- Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) Certification
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise- Government Certified
  • Small Disadvantaged Business- Government Certified
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual or Transgender Owned- NGLCC Certified
  • Small Business Certified- SBA(8)A Certified
  • WBENC Certified

Merchandise Categories

Beauty
Personal Care
Over-the Counter/Wellness

General Merchandise
Grocery

“Respecting the dignity and differences of others is a core value and cultural cornerstone of Dollar General, and this year’s Supplier and Diversity Innovation Summit reflects our ongoing efforts to offer the right products for each unique customer and community we serve,” said Johné Battle, Dollar General’s vice president of diversity and inclusion. “We are proud to serve a diverse consumer base throughout the communities we call home and look forward to the opportunity to find more relevant products to meet their needs.”

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To apply, interested suppliers, companies, and manufacturers may submit their product information at www.rangeme.com/dgsupplierdiversity from Wednesday, July 22 through the end of day on Friday, August 7, 2020.

Selected companies are expected to be notified via email by Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) of the time of their virtual meeting with a member of the Dollar General merchandising team.

The company and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation also recently announced a combined $5 million pledge in support of racial equality. These funds are expected to be distributed to national and local organizations focused on literacy, education and racial and social justice.