Helping Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Thrive in Big Retail

Entrepreneurs and small businesses are behind some of the most innovative, game-changing consumer products on the market, driving industry trends and reinventing product categories. But the path from product development to retail success can be a daunting one, particularly for women entrepreneurs who are much less likely to receive start-up capital to fund their business.

WBENC has teamed up with Title Sponsor Target Corporation to demystify the process with Women Owned in Retail, a program designed to help women-owned businesses with consumer goods scale and thrive in the retail space. Macy’s Inc. joins this effort as a Champion Sponsor, reinforcing a strong commitment to elevating women-owned brands in retail. In addition, Dollar General and The Home Depot serve as Program Sponsors, helping expand access, opportunity, and visibility for entrepreneurs navigating the retail landscape.

This program is open to small businesses with consumer products. You do not need to be certified by WBENC to attend Women Owned in Retail events.

The WBENC Retail-Ready Roster connects participating retailers with WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) that may fit their sourcing needs. Whether your business offers products for the shelf or services that support retail operations, your profile gives retailers a clearer picture of your capabilities and experience.

Learn more about the Retail-Ready Roster

Upcoming Sessions

  • October 14, 2026 – Macy’s Inc.: Avoiding the Tactics Trap – Building a Strategy for Sustainable Growth (2:00 – 3:30 PM EST) REGISTER NOW!
  • November 4, 2026 – Target – Beyond Retail Readiness: Competing and Growing in Retail (2:00 – 4:00 PM EST) REGISTER NOW!
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Title Sponsor
Champion Sponsor
Program Sponsor
Why Participate
  • Gain a better understanding of what big retailers like Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s and The Home Depot are looking for in suppliers.
  • Understand the role of supplier diversity in the buying process.
  • Learn about the vendor journey from other women-owned brands currently in stores.
  • Go deep into how to best prepare to pitch and do business with major retailers.
  • Hear directly from the experts on the ins-and-outs of a vendor relationship – and how to ensure long term success.
  • Network with other women entrepreneurs in the CPG industry.
  • Learn about how WBENC Certification and the Women Owned Logo can help your brand and products stand out – to buyers and consumers.

 

Retail-Ready Roster

The WBENC Retail-Ready Roster connects participating retailers with WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) that may fit their sourcing needs. Whether your business offers products for the shelf or services that support retail operations, your profile gives retailers a clearer picture of your capabilities and experience.

WBENC-Certified WBEs working in the retail industry are invited to submit to the Retail Ready Roster. You’ll be asked about your products or services, retail experience, operational capacity, and readiness to grow.

Participating retailers include Target, Macy’s, Inc., Dollar General, The Home Depot, and The Kroger Co. Each retailer has its own sourcing priorities and qualification criteria. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee an opportunity, but it helps WBENC identify potential connections between certified WBEs and corporate buyers.

Participating retailers will reference the Retail-Ready Roster on an ongoing basis as sourcing needs arise. Complete your profile now so WBENC has an up-to-date picture of your business when a relevant opportunity comes up.

If a retailer sees a potential fit, it may contact you directly about next steps. Because retailer needs vary and submission volume may be high, not every business will receive a follow-up.

Submit to the Roster
WBENC is by far one of the best communities I have joined in a long time. We were fortunate enough to participate as a featured educator for their Women Owned in Retail event in 2021, and we closed two important sales within a week of the event – all because we were certified through the network. Their team is wonderful, and we look forward to collaborating on many more programs in 2022 and beyond!
Jessica Korthuis
Co-Founder & CEO, Her Brand & Co.
Jessica Korthuis
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Questions about Women Owned in Retail?
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Who Should Participate

The Women Owned in Retail program is open to ALL women-owned businesses with consumer products. You do not need to be certified by WBENC to attend Women Owned in Retail events.

If you are a female entrepreneur, but not yet certified by WBENC, attending a Women Owned in Retail event is a great way to meet other female founders and see what the WBENC network has to offer. 

 

Resource Library
2026 Target Retail 101
In this session, the Target Accelerators team will talk through what founders should consider before pursuing major retail stores. From production and pricing to timing, growth, and the day-to-day realities that often get overlooked.
2026 Women Owned in Retail | Pathways to Partnership at The Home Depot
This session provides a practical overview of how suppliers can engage with The Home Depot, from initial connection through onboarding, merchandising, and procurement, to successfully navigate the path to partnership.
Women Owned in Retail | Small Business, Big Opportunity: How to Partner with Dollar General
Learn more about Dollar General’s small business development program, the fundamentals of getting started, how to navigate the supplier onboarding process, financing programs, development opportunities and more.
Women Owned in Retail | Retail Readiness for Life Out Here with Tractor Supply Co.
This session will dive deep into how Tractor Supply is creating space for businesses of all sizes through its Supplier Opportunity and Development approach.
Women Owned in Retail | Maximizing Your Indirect Opportunities with Target
Indirect suppliers will not want to miss this session! Join Target for the “Introduction to Indirect Categories” session where WBEs will gain knowledge of working with retailers and Target beyond the products on shelf.
Women Owned in Retail | Kohl’s Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program
Join WBENC and one of the newest 2025 Women Owned in Retail partners to learn about Kohl’s Mentorship Program.
Women Owned in Retail | The Art of Scaling for Retail with Target
Join Target for this session, as they aim to democratize access to retail knowledge to early-stage founders.
Access to Capital Deep Dive with Macy’s Inc. S.P.U.R. Pathways
Hear about S.P.U.R. Pathways: Shared Purpose, Unlimited Reach – a multiyear, multifaceted funding program to advance entrepreneurial growth, close wealth gaps, and shatter systemic barriers faced by underrepresented/underserved businesses.
Women Owned in Retail | Macy’s Presents “It Starts with Her”
The theme “It Starts with Her” will feature in-depth discussions with highly successful women – both Retail executives and Entrepreneurs – providing insights and sharing their journeys to success.
Women Owned in Retail | Macy’s Fashion Bootcamp
During the webinar, the Macy's team will share details about their business ecosystem programs and opportunities, best practices, and ways of doing business at Macy’s, Inc.
Women Owned in Retail | Indirect Categories with Target
Gain insights on the categories that help Target run their stores, headquarters, distribution centers and everything in between. Hear from key Target players and get a peek behind the curtain.
Women Owned in Retail | Retail 101
Join Target for a Retail 101 focused session where WBEs will learn and refresh their knowledge of working with Target. Hear from key Target players on opportunities with internal accelerators, marketing, and merchandising.
Women Owned in Retail | Retail Readiness for Life Out Here with Tractor Supply Co..
Discover new opportunities beyond shelf space and get the inside scoop on the Vendor Onboarding process. Mark your calendars and be ready to elevate your business with Tractor Supply Co.
Women Owned in Retail | Target Supplier Showcase 2023
Stream for the next installment of the WBENC Women Owned in Retail program featuring a showcase of Target Suppliers who will share their products, insights and best practices for thriving on Target shelves. This session will highlight supplier pitches and panel discussions from some of Target’s very own WBE suppliers.
Women Owned in Retail | Macy's Presents 'It Starts with Her'
This session is the second of a 2-part Women Owned in Retail series and will feature a panel discussion with powerful women decision-makers from Macy’s as they share their expert insights on how to be a successful supplier in big retail and why it’s important to invest in women-owned businesses. It will also showcase a variety of Women Owned suppliers currently working with Macy’s.
Women Owned in Retail | Going Next Level with Lowe's
Join WBENC and Lowe’s explore more details on how to be successful with Lowe’s. Hear from internal Lowe’s experts on their Private Brands, and listen as they provide a deep dive into the signature Lowe’s product pitch event “Into the Blue.”
Women Owned in Retail | Getting Started with Lowe's
WBENC and Lowe’s invites all retail industry vendors with no prior knowledge or engagement with Lowe’s to attend this session, the first of a two-part series, and learn how to get started navigating the retail landscape. While the content will be tailored to new suppliers, it will also serve as a refresher for those who have engaged with Lowe’s in the past. Don’t miss this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the retail supply chain at Lowe’s!
Women Owned in Retail | Introduction to Indirect Categories, brought to you by Target
Gain insights on the categories that help Target run their stores, headquarters, distribution centers and everything in between. Hear from key Target players and get a peek behind the curtain
Women Owned in Retail | Retail 101, presented by Target Corporation
WBEs will learn and refresh their knowledge of working with retailers and Target.
Women Owned in Retail | Retail Readiness for Life Out Here with Tractor Supply Co.
Learn the ins and outs of their merchandising divisions, customer profiles, and, most importantly, how to become a supplier.
Women Owned in Retail | “How Women Get More Done with The Home Depot”
THD is committed to creating opportunities for women and all diverse/minority-owned companies by cultivating a supplier base poised for long-lasting term growth and business sustainability success.
Women Owned in Retail | Target "Marketing Your CPG"
Target Presents: How to Market your CPG Company and Learn the Art of Packaging
Women Owned in Retail: Becoming a Lowe's Supplier
The Retail Accelerator will dive into a series of critical topics you need to know to break into and navigate big retail. Join us every Wednesday in September at 2pm EST for an interactive virtual webinar tailored to get Women Owned businesses ready for big retail.
Women Owned in Retail Women Owned in Retail | Getting Started with Lowe's
WBENC and Lowe’s invites all retail industry vendors with no prior knowledge or engagement with Lowe’s to attend this session, the first of a two-part series, and learn how to get started navigating the retail landscape. While the content will be tailored to new suppliers, it will also serve as a refresher for those who have engaged with Lowe’s in the past.