Meijer Gifts Entire Basket for Lucky Shoppers

Meijer made the holidays a little merrier for 213 unsuspecting shoppers recently when the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based superstore retailer gifted them their entire baskets at checkout.

During the Very Merry Meijer event, one customer at each of the retailer’s 213 stores across the Midwest was randomly selected on Dec. 13 to receive their grocery and gift purchases free, an unprecedented gesture in the company's 80-year history.

“The holidays are a time for kindness and joy, and the Very Merry Meijer event was a perfect opportunity for us to share the spirit of the season with those we hold dear: our customers,” Co-Chairman Hank Meijer said. “Our family has always believed that our customers don’t need us, but that we need them. That philosophy still guides us today. We are very thankful for our customers, and wanted to find a special way to wish them a very Merry Christmas.”

The Very Merry Meijer event resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in “gifts” to Meijer customers – with shopping carts ranging from $350 to upwards of $1,200 in value.

Meijer released a video that showcases how the retailer surprised its customers during the busiest holiday season of the year. In most cases, the store director revealed the gift upon checkout, but Hank Meijer, his brother and Co-Chairman Doug Meijer, and Meijer President J.K. Symancyk also helped spread holiday cheer.

“As a retailer, we work hard all year long to provide value to our customers through the quality products we sell, the experience we provide and the many ways we offer savings,” Symancyk said. “The Very Merry Meijer event was our fun way of making the season bright for our customers. That is what the holidays are all about – simple acts of kindness.”

Meijer operates stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.