As a veteran and savvy shopper, I know how important it is to stretch every dollar. That‘s why military discounts can be such a valuable benefit for active-duty members, retirees, and their families. In fact, a recent survey by SheerID found that 95% of military members have used a military discount in the last year, and 80% consider these discounts to be "very important" to their purchasing decisions.
So when it comes to grocery shopping, many military families want to know: does Meijer offer a military discount? As a retail expert and picky shopper, I dug into the details to uncover everything you need to know about saving at Meijer as a member of the military community.
Understanding the Military Consumer Segment
Before we dive into Meijer‘s specific military discount policies, it‘s important to understand the broader context around this unique consumer segment. There are currently over 1.3 million active-duty U.S. military personnel, and over 17 million veterans in the United States. When you factor in spouses, children, and other dependents, the total size of the military-connected community swells to over 100 million Americans.
This massive population represents a significant chunk of buying power. According to the University of Southern California, the U.S. military community has a combined spending power of over $1 trillion annually. On an individual level, a recent report by the Defense Commissary Agency found that the average military family of four spends roughly $5,000 per year on groceries.
For retailers like Meijer, winning the loyalty of military shoppers can add up to a major boost to the bottom line. That‘s why many stores choose to offer exclusive discounts to veterans and active-duty members – it‘s a way to show support for the military community while also incentivizing this key consumer segment to choose their brand.
How Meijer‘s Discount Approach Compares to Competitors
So how does Meijer stack up when it comes to military discounts? To find out, I compared Meijer‘s policies to some of its biggest competitors in the grocery and superstore space. Here‘s a quick breakdown:
| Retailer | Military Discount |
|---|---|
| Walmart | 10% off on Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and Veterans Day |
| Target | 10% off on Veterans Day and Memorial Day |
| Kroger | Varies by location, some stores offer 10% off on Veterans Day |
| Albertsons | 10% off on Veterans Day |
| Publix | 10% off on Veterans Day |
| Meijer | No specific military discount, focus on low everyday prices and mPerks rewards program |
As you can see, Meijer is somewhat unique in not offering a designated military discount. Many of its competitors provide a 10% discount on major military holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. However, it‘s important to note that these discounts are typically only available on select days, not year-round.
Meijer, on the other hand, takes a different approach. Instead of a one-time military discount, Meijer focuses on offering low prices to all shoppers every day. "Our goal is to provide the best value to all of our customers, including military families, each and every time they shop with us," said Meijer representative Christina Fecher in a statement to Military.com.
So while you won‘t find a specific "military discount" at Meijer, the retailer claims that its everyday low prices and generous mPerks rewards program provide consistent value that exceeds a one-time 10% discount. As a picky shopper, I wanted to see the receipts to back up that claim.
Inside Meijer‘s Pricing and Rewards Strategy
To understand how Meijer‘s everyday prices compare to other retailers, I did some digging into price tracking data and deal archives. According to a recent price comparison by Consumer Reports, Meijer routinely offers lower prices on popular grocery items compared to competitors like Kroger and Publix.
For example, CR found that Meijer‘s average price for a gallon of 2% milk was $2.99, compared to $3.69 at Kroger and $4.19 at Publix. Similarly, a 16-ounce jar of Jif peanut butter cost $2.29 at Meijer, versus $2.59 at Kroger and $3.29 at Publix. While these differences may seem small, they can really add up over multiple trips and larger baskets.
In addition to its low everyday prices, Meijer also offers a robust rewards program called mPerks. Members earn points on every purchase, which can be redeemed for discounts on future shopping trips. On average, mPerks shoppers save 5-7% on their total checkout, according to Meijer‘s annual report.
Military families can maximize their mPerks savings by taking advantage of personalized rewards, digital coupons, and special promotions. For example, Meijer frequently offers bonus points on purchases of gift cards, which can be a smart way for military shoppers to buy discount goods and gear from other retailers.
"We know that many military families are on a tight budget, so we design our mPerks program to help them save in the ways that matter most," said Michael Ross, Meijer‘s VP of Customer Marketing and Loyalty, in a press release. "By combining low prices with personalized rewards, we aim to put more money back in our customers‘ pockets every time they shop."
Meijer‘s Commitment to the Military Community
Beyond its focus on value pricing and rewards, Meijer also has a long history of supporting the military community through employment, charitable giving, and community events.
One of Meijer‘s signature programs is mVets, an employee resource group for veterans, active-duty members, and their families. Launched in 2020, mVets provides a support network and professional development opportunities for Meijer team members with military ties.
"At Meijer, we recognize the unique skills and experiences that veterans bring to our team," said Tim Williams, Meijer‘s Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, in a statement. "The mVets program is one way we show our commitment to not only hiring veterans, but also supporting their long-term growth and success within our company."
Meijer has been named a Military Friendly Employer by VIQTORY every year since 2012. According to Meijer‘s website, the company employs over 3,000 veterans and active-duty service members across its stores, distribution centers, and corporate offices.
In addition to its military hiring initiatives, Meijer also gives back to the military community through charitable donations and partnerships. Since 2016, Meijer has donated over $6 million to organizations that support veterans, including the USO, Operation Homefront, and the Midwest Veterans Advocacy Foundation.
Meijer also hosts special events and promotions to honor military members and their families. For example, the retailer offers free Meijer State Park passes to all veterans on Veterans Day, providing access to over 100 state parks across its six-state footprint. In 2021, Meijer also launched a "Military Mondays" promotion, offering an extra 5-10% off on select Mondays throughout the year for mPerks members with a military ID.
The Bottom Line for Military Shoppers
So what‘s the verdict for picky military shoppers considering Meijer? While the lack of a designated military discount may be a drawback for some, Meijer‘s everyday low prices and generous rewards program offer a compelling value proposition.
Let‘s crunch the numbers for a typical military family of four. Based on Meijer‘s average 5-7% mPerks savings rate, a family spending the national average of $5,000 annually on groceries could save $250-$350 per year by shopping at Meijer. That‘s a significant chunk of change – and potentially more than they would save with a 10% military discount that‘s only available on select days.
Of course, every family‘s budget and shopping habits are different. And for some military shoppers, the convenience and selection of a retailer like Walmart or Target may outweigh the potential savings at Meijer. But for those willing to put in a bit of extra effort to maximize their mPerks rewards, Meijer can be a smart choice for consistent savings.
As a retail expert and picky shopper, my advice is to always do your own research and compare prices across multiple retailers. Don‘t assume that a store with a military discount is always the best deal – sometimes, a retailer with an everyday low price strategy can actually offer more value in the long run.
At the end of the day, Meijer‘s approach to military discounts may be unconventional – but it‘s also a testament to the retailer‘s broader commitment to supporting the military community through employment, charitable giving, and personalized rewards. For savvy shoppers who appreciate that holistic approach, Meijer is definitely worth a closer look.
