Meijer offers teachers supply discounts beyond back-to-school
Photo: Meijer

Meijer offers teachers supply discounts beyond back-to-school

Over the last couple of years, major retailers have increasingly offered discounts to teachers during the back-to-school season. Now some retailers and brands are extending their promotions even further.

Regional grocer and general merchandise retailer Meijer announced that it will extend its back-to-school promotion for teachers through the entire 2021 – 2022 school year, according to a press release. The promotion consists of a 15 percent discount on classroom essentials.

In extending the program, Meijer means to help out teachers facing uncertainty brought about by the pandemic. It comes as a survey from AdoptAClassroom.org reveals that teachers spent more than ever before last school year. Surveyed teachers reported spending an average $750 of their own money yearly on supplies, and 95 percent do not anticipate this year’s budget being enough to cover their costs.

In July, Meijer added furniture, such as desks, cleaning supplies and kids’ apparel to the classroom essentials already eligible for the 15 percent discount.

The usual end date of the Meijer teacher discount is December 31, according to Cleveland.com.

Meijer is not the only retailer that has extended education-centered promotions beyond the weeks leading up to the start of the school year.

Apple, in addition to its seasonal back-to-school discounts, offers a special category of “educational discounts” which are available to school faculty, staff and home school teachers as well as returning students and parents of students, according to Business Insider.

Retailers such as Target, Office Depot, Staples and Dollar General also offered teacher discounts on some products this year, as USA Today reported. Those deals, however, ended either in the summer or in September. Kohl’s offered its first teacher discount this year, for three days in July.

The well-being of teachers has been more on the public radar since the onset of the pandemic. When schools reopened, concerns and anxieties arose about a potential increased risk of COVID-19 exposure due to contact with so many students throughout a given day.

Some U.S. states announced earlier in the year that they would be earmarking some federal stimulus money to give direct hazard pay bonuses to teachers, according to The U.S. Sun.

BrainTrust

"This discount is all about giving back and being good corporate citizens."

Mel Kleiman

President, Humetrics


"Meijer is making a big statement that should be followed by all retailers. This is a statement of values."

Gene Detroyer

Professor, International Business, Guizhou University of Finance & Economics and University of Sanya, China.


"This is also about supporting the community and giving employees an internal campaign for doing good."

Gwen Morrison

Partner, Candezent & Retail Cities Consultant


Discussion Questions

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Should other retailers that offer teacher discounts consider extending them beyond the back-to-school season as Meijer has done? Are teacher discount programs more of a public relations or revenue enhancing marketing tactic?

Poll

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Georganne Bender
Noble Member
2 years ago

Teachers are given a small budget for their classrooms that they exhaust early in the school year, the rest of the year purchases are paid for from their own pockets.

There are so many companies already helping teachers. It’s good to see Meijer get on board as well. MyEducationDiscount.com is a good place for teachers to find discounts and deals; it provides a comprehensive directory of what’s available. And there is a lot available in retail and beyond.

David Spear
Active Member
2 years ago

Meijer’s program is applause-worthy and they should be recognized as a first market mover. Additionally, this is a clear reflection of the strong values that the Meijer family has carefully crafted and embedded into their business over many years of owning the business. No, I don’t think this is a PR move. Rather it’s a way of giving back to those individuals who teach our young children the value of education.

Gary Sankary
Noble Member
2 years ago

This is a good move for Meijer. It demonstrates their commitment to their communities, and it supports schools and teachers. That resonates in local communities and will influence sales I suspect. It also positions and affirms Meijer’s commitment to those same communities.

Mel Kleiman
Member
2 years ago

To start with, the polling questions are all wrong. This discount for teachers is not about either PR or profits, it is all about helping teachers absorb a cost that they should not have to absorb to do their job and educate our children. This discount is all about giving back and being good corporate citizens.

Gene Detroyer
Noble Member
Reply to  Mel Kleiman
2 years ago

Exactly. The fact that a teacher must take even $1 out of their pocket is embarrassing. Once upon a time teachers were held in high esteem and education was a national and cultural priority. Sadly, no longer.

Jennifer Bartashus
2 years ago

Teacher discounts are a necessity that more retailers should embrace. Too many of our educators are supplying classrooms out of their own pocket. Offering a discount that is available whenever needed would help. As for the retailers, this really just builds goodwill and can help create loyalty.

Gene Detroyer
Noble Member
2 years ago

I have been teaching since 2009. I get discounts on subscriptions, memberships, software and electronics. Meijer is making a big statement that should be followed by all retailers. This is a statement of values.

Gwen Morrison
Gwen Morrison
2 years ago

This is also about supporting the community and giving employees an internal campaign for doing good. Over a decade ago, OfficeMax embraced Adopt-a-Classroom. Employees were encouraged to take a day off and deliver school supplies directly to classrooms. The experience of seeing the relief and appreciation on teachers’ faces instilled a new sense of pride on the part of OfficeMax employees.

While there is a public relations aspect to the Meijer program, it shows compassion for the community at large. Teachers need help all year round. Community support for them delivers a better classroom experience.

John Hennessy
Member
2 years ago

This is brilliant, kind and thoughtful on several levels. First, it acknowledges that teachers spent a lot of out-of-pocket money on supplies. Well done. And it’s not without benefit to Meijer. Their best customers are families. Families have children. Children spend a lot of time with teachers.Teachers will be talking favorably about Meijer. This is a thoughtful gesture with a potential reward to Meijer for the consideration. That might not have been part of the strategy, but there is nothing wrong with benefiting from thoughtfulness.