CINCINNATI, May 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR) today announced notable progress and new
initiatives – including the launch of its Small Business Resource
Guide – as part of its Framework for Action: Diversity,
Equity & Inclusion plan, featuring steps developed in
collaboration with associates and leaders to accelerate and promote
greater change in the workplace and in the communities the
organization serves.
"In 2020, Kroger achieved $4.1
billion in diverse supplier spend, representing an increase
of 21% versus a year ago and build on our commitment to reach
$10 billion in diverse supplier spend
by 2030. We remain committed to doing the work to advance our
longstanding and nationally recognized supplier inclusion program,
reflecting partnerships with entrepreneurs of color, women, and
veterans as well as companies founded by the LGBTQ+ community and
business operators with intellectual and physical disabilities,"
said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's
chairman and CEO. "Greater racial, gender, health, and wealth
equity will drive true and long-lasting change and better outcomes
in our country. And as America's grocer, we're honored to play a
role in driving this change as an employer, grocery provider, and
community partner."
Last year, Kroger introduced 107 new diverse suppliers, a 91%
increase versus 2019. Of these suppliers, five played a leading
role in supplying Kroger personal protective equipment during the
peak of the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Small Business Resource Guide
In honor of National
Small Business Week, today Kroger is publishing a Small Business
Resource Guide developed to help brands and producers establish and
grow retail partnerships. The free downloadable resource shares
best practices on product development, pricing, supply chain,
promotion, research and preparation, outreach, and partnership
development.
"Through Kroger's supplier inclusion program, we support,
mentor, promote, and grow diverse-owned enterprises across our
thriving operation. We currently work with more than 1,600 diverse
suppliers, ranging from food and beverage to health and beauty and
product distributors to service providers," said Angel Colón,
Kroger's senior director of corporate and supplier diversity. "As a
member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, we continue to partner
with diverse businesses in innovative ways, including by investing
in incubators and accelerators, expanding relationships with
existing partners, hosting and participating in supplier summits,
and through partnerships with leading certifying agencies.
"We believe our recently published Small Business Resource
Guide, featuring partnership success spotlights from companies like
Cacique, 4Sisters Rice, TrueChoicePack, and True Shea, will be a
useful tool for many companies and help us as we continue to seek
out new partners and expand existing relationships," continued
Colón.
Supplier Inclusion Innovation Summit
As a part of
Kroger's commitment to advance diverse partnerships, earlier this
year the company hosted its 3rd annual Supplier
Inclusion Innovation Summit. Prior to the event, Kroger's supplier
inclusion and category leadership teams, alongside certifying
agencies like the National Minority Supplier Development Council,
Women's Business Enterprise National Council, National LGBT Chamber
of Commerce, National Veteran Business Development Council, and
U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, reviewed hundreds of
event applicants and invited 25 suppliers to attend. During the
event, participants received coaching from Kroger merchandising,
business development, and supplier inclusion leaders and the
opportunity to pitch their products.
During the Summit, Kroger also announced winners for its
Sustainable Business Award of the Year: Admiralty Island
Fisheries, Inc.; New Vendor Award: DeeBee's Organics; and
Supplier Inclusion Advocate of the Year: Kroger Category
Manager Diana Krauser.
Multicultural Entrepreneurship Development Program
Kroger has also recently joined P&G and MORTAR – a
Cincinnati-based
accelerator providing historically marginalized entrepreneurs
access to resources to start and run successful businesses – to
pilot the Multicultural Entrepreneurship Development program,
focusing on enabling entrepreneurs to reach their fullest
potential. The multi-month program launched last month and runs
through the summer.
"Kroger is elated to welcome, share insights, and present
industry-leading business development curriculum as well as learn
from the inaugural cohort of 13 local entrepreneurs," said
Tim Massa, Kroger's chief people
officer. "Stronger diverse businesses create stronger communities
and produces greater innovation and collaboration. At Kroger, we
remain focused on continuing to grow our business to better serve
our associates and customers, so it's imperative that we continue
to find new ways to listen and learn, uplift other businesses, and
bring in additional perspectives and products."
Go Fresh & Local Supplier
Accelerator
Relatedly, later this month, Kroger will launch
an open call inviting local and regional fresh food producers to
participate in its search for new and innovative suppliers. Kroger
will share more information about this event soon.
To learn more about Kroger's Framework for Action: Diversity,
Equity & Inclusion plan, visit
TheKrogerCo.com/StandingTogether.
About Kroger
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are
dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are nearly
half a million associates who serve over nine million customers
daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,800
retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving
America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating
#ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us,
visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-celebrates-small-business-week-and-offers-retail-partnership-guidebook-to-advance-supplier-inclusion-301286777.html
SOURCE The Kroger Co.