Meijer’s stores to host college parties
Meijer’s is bringing college students to its stores for a night of shopping filled with music and fun.
The Midwest discount retailer expects as many as 40,000 incoming college freshmen to attend a series of shopping events it is hosting for 21 colleges across the Midwest. The retailer kicks off its Meijer Back-to-College events the week of Aug. 16, hosting a total 23 events through September. Anywhere from 300 to 6,500 freshmen per event will bus from campuses to their local Meijer store for a night of festivities.
Typically, a DJ will perform while students participate in interactive games and contests, snap pictures in the photo booth, and shop. Meijer also provides samples and coupons, and occasionally hosts big-ticket giveaways. Meijer began throwing in-store events for incoming college freshmen more than 15 years ago.
"Our Back-to-College events provide students the opportunity to shop for their first living spaces away from home and share a fun-filled bonding experience with classmates," said Cathy Cooper, senior director of community partnerships and giving at Meijer. "We are pleased to partner with so many colleges and universities to help ease the transition of moving into a new living environment for these students."
Meijer is launching this major college promotion as data from the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicates the average college student will spend $976.78 on back-to-school shopping this year, which is up from last year’s $942.17 and tops the previous record of $969.88 set in 2017.
Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., privately-owned Meijer operates more than 245 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.
The Midwest discount retailer expects as many as 40,000 incoming college freshmen to attend a series of shopping events it is hosting for 21 colleges across the Midwest. The retailer kicks off its Meijer Back-to-College events the week of Aug. 16, hosting a total 23 events through September. Anywhere from 300 to 6,500 freshmen per event will bus from campuses to their local Meijer store for a night of festivities.
Typically, a DJ will perform while students participate in interactive games and contests, snap pictures in the photo booth, and shop. Meijer also provides samples and coupons, and occasionally hosts big-ticket giveaways. Meijer began throwing in-store events for incoming college freshmen more than 15 years ago.
"Our Back-to-College events provide students the opportunity to shop for their first living spaces away from home and share a fun-filled bonding experience with classmates," said Cathy Cooper, senior director of community partnerships and giving at Meijer. "We are pleased to partner with so many colleges and universities to help ease the transition of moving into a new living environment for these students."
Meijer is launching this major college promotion as data from the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicates the average college student will spend $976.78 on back-to-school shopping this year, which is up from last year’s $942.17 and tops the previous record of $969.88 set in 2017.
Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., privately-owned Meijer operates more than 245 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.