A Detroit-based clothing brand is getting the chance to sell some of its pieces inside one of the state's biggest retailers as a way to support high school and college students.
Merit Goodness, a fashion brand established in 2012, has two of its products on the shelves of Meijer's two Detroit locations — T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts featuring the phrases "Our City is Ours" and "Detroit Ain't Done."
The partnership comes as Meijer has invested $5 million to address racial inequalities "in our communities," according to Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes. The Grand Rapids area-based company, with annual revenue of more than $500 million, has partnered with 23 agencies as part of the effort.
Merit founder David Merritt, 35, said Meijer donated to his FATE program and wanted to feature the Merit shirts in stores. There's no set time for how long the products will be sold in the stores. If the items sell well, they will be distributed to more Meijer locations.
"This is a test for us to see if (customers) like the collection," said Merritt, who has previously made the majority of sales online. "We'll have two designs inside Meijer, including a student-designed piece. It's a start. We're able to prove ourselves as we move forward."
The student-designed piece comes by way of the FATE program, a cohort-based program founded in 2012 for Detroit high school students starting in their freshman year. The students as sophomores produce collections, Merritt said, and are paid for their work. This past year, each student earned $200 for participating in the program. The piece designed by the students features the phrase "Detroit Ain't Done." The T-shirts retail for $25. Merit hoodies are $55.
"The students are excited to see their product in the store," Merritt said. "It's all about motivating them and letting them see how their creativity can impact the world."
Merritt uses his brand to make an impact, too.
Twenty percent of each purchase of a Merit Goodness product goes toward a college tuition fund benefiting the FATE program, which includes close to 50 students. Each student in the program is eligible for a $5,000 college scholarship upon graduating high school, and an additional $3,000 following their first year of college. In 2020, $65,000 was distributed to 14 students, Merritt said. Each year going forward, Merritt believes students will share $80,000-$90,000 in scholarship funds.
CEO Keyes said Meijer is excited about the partnership and being able to support the FATE program.
"The designs embody the spirit of Detroit and we're proud to carry them," Keyes said.
Merritt, who declined to disclose company revenue figures, sees the Meijer partnership as a big step for his company.
He said running the brand has had its challenges. Merit and the FATE program are their own individual brands, Merritt said, adding that he worked to build both with not a lot of capital.
"It's taken a lot of time," Merritt said. "I feel very good about the future. We're to the point now that we're able to work with Meijer and expose their customer base to what we're trying to do. It takes time for growth and more success. The hope is we can get our pieces in more (Meijer) stores. I think both parties are hoping for a good showing."
March 03, 2021 at 06:02PM
https://www.crainsdetroit.com/nonprofit/detroit-clothing-brand-merit-goodness-partners-meijer-help-send-students-college
Detroit clothing brand Merit Goodness partners with Meijer to help send students to college - Crain's Detroit Business
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