Schnuck Markets and Meijer have each partnered with product discovery solution provider Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) to launch initiatives aimed at improving diversity among their suppliers. Schnuck Markets will utilize the RangeMe platform to identify diverse local suppliers that would fit on its shelves, while Meijer hosted its first virtual Supplier Diversity Summit to connect local suppliers with Midwestern retailers on Nov. 12, 2020.
Schnucks is working to identify local suppliers that are at least 51% owned, operated and managed by individuals that are disabled, LGBT, military veterans, minorities and/or women. All sourcing and product submissions will be made through RangeMe, and ECRM will qualify suppliers, create curated meeting schedules and facilitate face-to-face meetings with Schnucks buyers to help bring products from diverse suppliers onto its shelves.
“We want our suppliers to be more reflective of the communities we serve,” said Adrian Moore, Director of Supplier Diversity and Category Planning at Schnuck Markets in a statement. “It is imperative to work with diverse suppliers in order to bring our customers the products they are looking for when they visit our stores, and also to do our part to support equity and inclusion in our communities.”
The Supplier Diversity Summit featured diverse suppliers in categories including beauty and personal care, over-the-counter medications and wellness, general merchandise and grocery. Suppliers that weren’t featured at the event were still encouraged to submit their products for consideration at Meijer’s prospective vendor page.
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