Woodward Corner Market

Local Vendor Guide




At Woodward Corner Market, LOCAL vendors are a part of our DNA. With our store's brand pillars being fresh, LOCAL, and value, we build a BIG part of our business around supporting our hyper-local and local makers and creators in the community. To support each other, we have created a guide to inform our vendors of how to communicate with our team, deliver products, demo at the market, and more.

Please refer to the below sections to help you guide your partnership with us.

Communication

Communication in the market is CRUCIAL. With our team ordering products from distribution centers and vendors, stocking, keeping conditions up, having internal meetings, and assisting customers, it's essential that local vendors communicate with the RIGHT people in the RIGHT way. 

Who are the right people? Local vendors should be communicating with their Area Lead.

How should we be communicating with our Area Leads? Vendors should ALWAYS be communicating with their Area Leads via EMAIL unless the area lead specifies otherwise. Vendors need to give Area Leads time to respond in the time frame of 48 hours. 

If you need to contact your Area Lead directly, you can call the store, and if they are working, we will put you in touch with them. If they are not working, we will ask you to call back when they are scheduled to work or answer your question. 

AREA LEADS

Every local vendor has an Area Lead in charge of ordering their product. Come November 2021, Area Leads will also assist with scheduling demos. By department, you can find who your area lead is below:

  • GROCERY & HEALTH/BEAUTY: Tim Greschak (Tim.Greschak@WoodwardCornerMarket.com)

  • PRODUCE: Michael Hilgen (Michael.Hilgen@woodwardcornermarket.com)

  • MEAT & SEAFOOD: Cory Tumblin (randall.tumblin@WoodwardCornerMarket.com)

  • DAIRY: James Basirico (James.Basirico@WoodwardCornerMarket.com)

  • FROZEN: Lauren Baumann (Lauren.Baumann@meijer.com)

  • DELI: Gail Barnes (Gail.Barnes@WoodwardCornerMarket.com)

  • BEER, WINE & SPIRITS: Brandon Ulewicz (Brandon.Ulewicz@meijer.com)

  • BAKERY: Roxanne Vallad (Roxanne.Vallad@WoodwardCornerMarket.com)

  • FRONT END: Rhonda Ross-Richter (Rhonda.Ross-Richter@meijer.com)

  • CAFE: Rhonda Ross-Richter (Rhonda.Ross-Richter@meijer.com)

If you are unsure of who is ordering your product from the list above please contact our Inventory Manager Tim Greschak at Tim.Greschak@WoodwardCornerMarket.com.

We can not stress enough how important it is to have a positive working relationship and open communication with your Area Lead. Your Area Leads will be working with you on a case-to-case basis on your product levels, sales, and bringing in additional products. Please work with your Area Lead to talk about their process on what this looks like with them.

CHAIN OF COMMAND/HIERARCHY

FIRST POINT ON CONTACT:

Area Leads

SECOND POINT OF CONTACT:

Assistant Managers/Inventory Manager/Marketing Manager

  1. Michael Hilgen | Produce Manager (Michael.Hilgen@woodwardcornermarket.com)

  2. Andy Goss | Grocery, Dairy, Frozen, Meat/Seafood Manager (andrew.goss1@woodwardcornermarket.com)

  3. Brandon Ulewicz | Front End Manager, Assistant Store Manager (Brandon.Ulewicz@meijer.com)

  4. Tim Greschak | Inventory Manager (Tim.Greschak@woodwardcornermarket.com)

  5. Ashley Dewicki | Marketing Manager (Ashley.Dewicki@meijer.com)

LAST POINT OF CONTACT:

Store Director

  1. Mike Jacobs | (Michael.Jacobs@meijer.com)

RESPECT

It is without saying that we respect our employees, our customers, and our local vendors. We expect the same in return from our vendors to our staff.

Local vendors are expected to work with their Area Leads to bring in new products. Vendors need to respect the decisions of their Area Lead as our leadership team empowers our team to make decisions for their department.

 
 

If there are disrespectful or unprofessional behaviors from vendors, we will not hesitate to remove products from our store.

MEETINGS

We love when local vendors pop in, say hello, and talk about their products! We also love providing a platform for vendors to place and advertise their product. In return, we would like our local vendors to be mindful of our team's time. If you are looking to speak to someone specifically, please work with them via email to book a meeting in advance. This includes, but is not limited to carrying new products, vendor set up, demoing, placement of products, advertising, marketing, events, etc.

Receiving + Sales

RECEIVING

HOURS

Local Vendors need to coordinate with their Area Lead for restocking their product.

When bringing your products into the market, you must bring two paper invoices for our receiver to receive the products.

Monday-Friday: 5am - 1pm

Saturday: 5am - 11:30am

Sunday: No Receiving

*NO EXCEPTIONS UNLESS YOUR AREA LEAD HAS APPROVED PRIOR TO DELIVERY.

SALES

You can learn how to view your sales HERE

  • Related to the instructions above you need to use Internet Explorer on a PC

As said before we can not stress enough how important it is to have a positive working relationship and open communication with your Area Lead. Your Area Lead will be working with you on a case-to-case basis on your product levels, sales, and bringing in additional products. Please work with them and talk about their process on what this looks like.

Demoing

A large part of creating a market feel is having our local vendors pop up and demo at the market. When our vendors demo, it helps move their product, builds brand awareness, and connects customers to the brand with face-to-face exposure of the local markers/brand ambassadors. Vendors who come in and demo are prioritized for marketing, getting in the market's flyer, prime product placement, and being selected for events because we believe in creating connections and building long-lasting partnerships.

HOW TO BOOK A DEMO:

All vendors can book demos using the Microsoft Bookings Woodward Corner Market Vendor Demo calendar. All vendors must already have their products set up at the market for sale. If a vendor has not, they need to go through the process of set-up before demoing.

There are a few things we would like you to know about the calendar: 

  1. Vendors are responsible for managing their bookings. This includes booking your slots, rescheduling your time if there is a conflict, and canceling your place if you can't make it. Vendors can do ALL of this through the email confirmation of their original booking, so please flag this email

  2. Bookings for slots close 48 hours before a slot starts

  3. You will get a confirmation email of your slot and a reminder email closer to the time of your demo

  4. Vendors need to make sure they select a "service" and then select the "date/time" they wish to demo. If you are not able to choose a date, that means the slots are full or you have missed the sign up time.

  5. Lastly, please fill out all of the details and additional information. This will let us know if you need a table or electricity. If you fill out your email incorrectly, you will not get a confirmation email, so please be mindful.

^Make sure you select your desired service before choosing the date, staff, and time to demo!

TYPES OF DEMOING:

WEEK DAY DEMOING

This type of demo is for vendors to come and sample their products on a day-to-day basis (Monday-Friday) using the Microsoft Booking form selecting the "week day vendor demo" service.

WEEKEND DEMOING

This type of demo is for vendors to come and sample their products on a day-to-day basis (Saturday & Sunday) using the Microsoft Booking form selecting the "weekend demo days" service.

EVENT DEMOING

The Marketing Manager creates this type of demo and will be either an open invite or themed. The service will be booked using the Microsoft Booking form, selecting the "EVENT NAME" service.

RULES & REGULATIONS FOR DEMOING:

LOCAL VENDORS RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. A vendor agreement form MUST be filled out, signed and sent to your Area Lead before demoing at the market. This agreement will be kept on file and is valid for 1 year

  2. Managing your booking on the Woodward Corner Market Vendor Demo calendar

  3. Coordinating with your Area Lead if you have enough product for your demo. If an order is placed through your Area Lead, make sure it is received during our receiving hours

  4. Popping up and breaking down within 5 minutes of your demoing time

  5. Bringing all necessary materials to demo. Although this looks different for every vendor this may include a table, small trash bin, sample cups, extension cords, etc.

  6. Bringing samples to demo (Woodward Corner Market does not purchase these samples)

  7. Cleaning your station when your demo is finished

  8. Putting back anything borrowed into the correct locations

  9. Please come in the front doors

  10. We understand that vendors may need to cancel demoing opportunities. If vendors are booking then canceling as a trend, we will need to reevaluate if the partnership is suitable for the store

Woodward Corner MARKET RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Providing a space to demo

  2. Providing a table/electricity to the vendor if requested and available. Vendors can pick up their tables from your designated Area Lead or the Manager on duty

  3. Advertising “Event Demoing” events

VENDOR DEMOING MAPS:

 

Demo maps will only be provided for "Event Demos", when we are fully booked or towards demoing max capacity. Maps will be emailed out prior to the event. Feel free to set up if you know where your spot is on the map.

 

If there is no vendor map, the manager on duty will assign you a spot in the market to set up. Please confirm that your spot is appropriate for a safe traffic flow throughout the market. It is first-come, first-serve for spots.

 

HERE is an enlarged version of this map if needed.

 

Products

EXISTING PRODUCTS

For existing product maintenance, whether related to changing costs or case pack info, please reach out to your Area Lead with the Inventory Manager (Tim.Greschak@WoodwardCornerMarket.com) copied on the email.

You will fill out the sheet here with new cost information and submit it to your Area Lead. Cost changes will be effective within seven days of your request.

We will no longer receive costs that do not match cost records on file.

NEW PRODUCTS

If you’re looking to add new products, your first point of contact is your Area Lead. If your Area Lead is interested in a new product, they will connect you with the Inventory Manager (Tim.Greschak@WoodwardCornerMarket.com), who will guide you through the process of setting up new items or case packs with Meijer.

HELPFUL LINKS

STAIRWAY TO SUCCESS

YOUTUBE VIDEO RESOURCES

Welcome and Agenda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWBIAbpa3Wo&t=44s

Keynote Speaker – Shannon Cohen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb65Tj99RKw

What it Takes to be a Vendor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0spDg04FRUE&t=129s

Marketing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v0HlcdEEuE

Vendor to Vendor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lWWiaVU54w

30 Minute Summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zseNAVJoXbQ

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp5aFZ5SgnY

SUPPORT EMAILS

Commonly Asked Questions










*Updated on 09/25/24