Through its QVC, HSN and Zulily operations, Qurate Retail Group is expanding its Small Business Spotlight program again to further support entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups by giving participants more opportunities for national exposure.
The company will select at least 100 diverse businesses for the program in 2022, adding to the approximately 160 small businesses that will have participated in the program by the end of 2021, Qurate stated. The 2022 participants will appear live on-air on QVC, HSN or QVC2 during one of seven heritage and recognition months in 2022: Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and National Military Appreciation Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
New for 2022, online retailer Zulily will offer specially curated shoppable events during each featured heritage and recognition months, Qurate noted, with products from the selected Small Business Spotlight operations that meet certain sourcing requirements.
“Thanks to our passionate customers and our robust retail platforms with unparalleled reach, we have unmatched opportunities to support the small business community – the engine of the economy – and help these entrepreneurs grow their companies,” said Ian Bailey, svp/communications and community, in announcing the expansion. “Small Business Spotlight is our signature program for increasing opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs who are outside of our current vendor family. By 2025, we intend to have featured at least 500 diverse small businesses through this program as part of our commitment to elevate underrepresented businesses and products across our brands, invite a broader consumer base, and support equity in all its forms.”
Qurate Retail Group initially launched the Small Business Spotlight with the National Retail Federation Foundation in May 2020 to help small businesses challenged by COVID-19 and conducted a second phase initiative later that year with 40 Black-owned businesses. In 2021, Qurate Retail Group and the NRF Foundation increased the number of selected businesses and focused on supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Businesses with 100 workers or less that want to participate in Black History Month in February 2022 or Women’s History Month in March 2022 should apply by October 25, as they will get priority for review due to planning and production requirements, Qurate maintained. Applicants can find more details on eligibility and criteria, as well as the application link through RangeMe at https://www.rangeme.com/quratesmallbusinessspotlight.
