Albertsons Cos. has made its annual call for suppliers of diverse social and ethnic backgrounds to present their unique products to the company’s merchandising team.
As part of the Albertsons Cos. Supplier Diversity Program, the company has launched an application process open through February 2. To apply, suppliers must be at least 51% owned, controlled and run by diverse operators, be they women, Black, indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, veterans or disabled, the company stated
In 2023, almost 500 businesses submitted applications for the Supplier Diversity Program, and Albertsons selected more than 60 diverse-owned brands to meet with the company’s merchandising team. As a result, the company indicated, Albertsons added six diverse-owned brands — Blue Elephant, Catalina Crunch, Mr. Kooks, Partake Foods, Radius and Watcharee’s — to a lineup of labels from more than 200 certified diverse suppliers already selling their products nationwide at company banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s.
Diverse business owners can submit their applications online by February 2. Those selected to meet with the merchandising team will receive notification by February 16. Albertsons will schedule appointments for early April.
“At Albertsons Cos., we are committed to providing opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs and businesses to successfully grow their brands and sell their products on our store shelves,” said Monique Lanaux, Albertson’s group vice president and chief diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging officer. “Through our Supplier Diversity Program, we are building an inclusive culture in our stores that values diversity and reflects the many communities where we live and serve.”
