Ross Stores is one of the largest off-price retailers in the United States, operating more than 1,700 Ross Dress for Less stores and about 350 dd's DISCOUNTS locations. With annual revenue north of $21 billion, it runs a purchasing operation large enough to sustain a meaningful supplier diversity program. The program is not a marketing exercise. Ross actively sources branded and off-price merchandise from certified diverse businesses and contracts store services through minority- and women-owned vendors.
This guide covers how the program works, what certifications Ross recognizes, where to register, and what a realistic path to a first purchase order looks like.
Ross Stores' supplier diversity program
Ross does not publish a named program title in the way some retailers do, but its supplier diversity commitments appear in corporate sustainability and ESG reporting under the broader vendor relations umbrella. The company states a commitment to working with minority business enterprises (MBEs), women business enterprises (WBEs), veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by people with disabilities.
Ross does not publicly release an annual diverse spend dollar target, which is common among off-price retailers who guard pricing and sourcing strategy carefully. What is documented is the company's participation in the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) network and attendance at key industry matchmaking events (more on that below).
The program covers two distinct supplier tracks: merchandise vendors who supply product for retail sale, and indirect/services vendors who support store operations, facilities, and corporate functions.
Certifications Ross Stores recognizes
Ross accepts certifications from the primary national certification bodies. The recognized credentials include:
- MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) — issued by NMSDC regional councils
- WBE (Women's Business Enterprise) — issued by WBENC regional partner organizations
- SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) — verified through the SBA's VetCert program
- VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) — also through VetCert
- 8(a) — SBA certification for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses
- SBE (Small Business Enterprise) — accepted in some sourcing categories
Ross does not publish an exhaustive list of accepted certifications on a publicly accessible page, so when you register through their vendor portal, you will be asked to upload your certification documents directly. Bringing a current certificate from any of the bodies above is the practical minimum to be flagged as a diverse supplier in their system.
If you are not yet certified, NMSDC certification through your regional council typically takes 60 to 90 days and costs between $350 and $1,000 depending on the council. WBENC certification runs a similar timeline. Both are worth pursuing before you approach Ross, because buyers at large retailers filter their supplier database by certification status.
Where and how to register
Ross Stores uses a vendor registration and compliance system called Supplier Gateway, accessible through the vendor section of their corporate website at investors.rossstores.com or the main corporate site under "Suppliers." The direct path is to navigate to rossstores.com → scroll to the footer → Suppliers, or search "Ross Stores supplier registration."
The registration process collects:
- Company legal name, address, and EIN
- Business ownership demographics (ethnicity, gender, veteran status)
- Certification documents (upload your MBE, WBE, or other certificate)
- Product or services categories using UNSPSC or internal category codes
- References and financial capacity documentation for larger merchandise vendors
Merchandise vendors — companies supplying product for resale — face a more involved onboarding process that includes compliance with Ross's vendor standards manual, labeling requirements, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) setup, and insurance minimums. For off-price merchandise specifically, Ross buyers look for branded product with retail tags still attached, excess inventory, or closeout lots. Generic or private-label product does not fit the off-price model.
Services vendors (facilities maintenance, janitorial, security, staffing, marketing services, IT) go through a shorter qualification path and can often move from registration to a first contract in three to six months if there is an active need in your geography.
Product and service categories Ross sources from diverse suppliers
Merchandise categories where Ross actively sources from diverse vendors:
- Women's, men's, and children's apparel and footwear — branded or recognized labels preferred
- Home goods: bedding, bath, kitchen, décor accessories
- Small appliances and electronics accessories
- Beauty, fragrance, and personal care
- Luggage, handbags, and accessories
- Toys and seasonal merchandise
Off-price retail is built on opportunistic buying. Ross buyers acquire merchandise through manufacturer overruns, canceled orders, packaging changes, and end-of-season excess. If you manufacture or distribute branded apparel or home goods and have excess inventory or off-price lots to sell, that is the clearest path into their merchandise buying team.
Indirect and store services categories:
- Facilities maintenance and janitorial services
- Construction and remodeling (store buildouts and refreshes)
- Landscaping and exterior maintenance
- Staffing and temp labor
- Logistics and regional transportation
- Print, signage, and marketing production
- IT services and technology support
- Consulting and professional services for corporate functions
The indirect spend side is where most diverse suppliers without a product to sell will find their entry point. Ross operates in 40 states, which means regional vendors with geographic coverage can serve a cluster of stores without needing national scale on day one.
Industry events and how to get a meeting
Ross participates in the NMSDC Annual Conference and Business Opportunity Fair, held each fall. This is the largest matchmaking event in the minority supplier development space, drawing procurement officers from Fortune 500 companies including major retailers. The 2024 conference was held in October in Las Vegas. Registration for diverse suppliers runs approximately $800 to $1,200 for the conference package that includes matchmaking sessions.
Ross also participates in WBENC's National Conference and Business Fair, typically held in June. Both conferences offer pre-scheduled one-on-one matchmaking meetings with corporate buyers. These are the most direct paths to a face-to-face introduction with a Ross procurement contact.
Beyond national conferences, Ross buyers attend regional NMSDC council events. If you are in California, Texas, the Southeast, or the Mid-Atlantic, your regional council likely runs quarterly or annual expos where Ross has shown up in past years. Check your regional council's event calendar.
To secure a matchmaking meeting at any of these events:
- Register as a diverse supplier through the conference portal (separate from Ross's vendor portal)
- Request meetings during the open matchmaking window, which is usually 60 days before the event
- Prepare a one-page capability summary with your certification status, revenue range, and relevant product or service examples
- Follow up within five business days of any meeting with a short email and your Supplier Gateway registration confirmation
Cold outreach to Ross buyer email addresses, which are not publicly listed, is not a reliable strategy. The event matchmaking process exists precisely because it creates a structured first contact that buyers are actually there to have.
Realistic timeline and first steps
For a services vendor with an active certificate and a relevant category:
- Week 1-2: Complete Supplier Gateway registration, upload certification documents, select service categories
- Month 1-3: Confirm receipt of registration, watch for RFP notices if Ross sends them to registered vendors in your category
- Month 3-6: Attend a regional council event or a national conference if the timing works; request a matchmaking meeting
- Month 6-12: First contract or purchase order if there is geographic alignment and active sourcing need
For a merchandise vendor supplying off-price branded product:
- Week 1: Register in Supplier Gateway and indicate merchandise vendor interest
- Month 1: Reach out through the portal's contact mechanism or through an NMSDC network connection to a Ross buyer
- Month 2-4: Buyer meeting to review product samples and lot details
- Month 4-9: First trial purchase order if product fits buying criteria
The merchandise path is faster when you have an existing lot or overstock position to show. Buyers at off-price retailers make fast decisions on available inventory. Waiting to have a "pipeline" of product to discuss is less effective than presenting a specific available lot in the first meeting.
Before you register
Two things will determine whether Ross's program is worth your time right now.
First, confirm your certification is current. An expired MBE or WBE certificate will get your Supplier Gateway registration flagged. Renew before you apply.
Second, assess geographic fit for services or category fit for merchandise. Ross does not buy product for resale that isn't branded or recognizable to value shoppers. And for services, a janitorial company licensed in three states can realistically serve a regional cluster of stores; one licensed only in a single metro is a harder sell for a chain this size.
If both boxes are checked, the Supplier Gateway registration takes about 90 minutes to complete properly with all documentation ready. That is the correct first step.
