As part of efforts to broaden its product offerings, Walgreens will host a virtual Supplier Diversity Summit April 5-8, 2022. Vendors will have the opportunity to connect with the Walgreens merchandising team, share their products and get feedback, with the ultimate goal of being stocked on Walgreens shelves in their local areas.
Walgreens will use the Summit to increase sourcing from suppliers that are at least 51% owned, operated and managed by people who are disadvantaged, disabled, military veterans, LGBTQ+, minorities and/or women. The event will focus on products across grocery, household, beauty and personal care, health, wellness and general merchandise, among other categories.
“As a leading partner in reimagining local healthcare and well-being for all, ensuring that we create equitable opportunities for diverse suppliers to drive economic impact in the communities we serve is imperative,” said Carlos Cubia, SVP and Global Chief Diversity Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance in a statement.
The Summit will take place during ECRM Connect and will be facilitated by the RangeMe supplier discovery solution, which Walgreens began using in July 2019. Interested suppliers can find more information here.
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A number of retailers have been taking concrete steps to diversify their product assortments and supplier base, including:
- Best Buy supported its commitment to spend at least $1.2 billion with BIPOC and diverse businesses by 2025 with a supplier diversity initiative announced in December 2021;
- FabFitFun announced plans to scale up its supplier diversity efforts in March 2021; and
- Supermarket retailers Meijer and Schnuck Markets conducted supplier diversity summits in November 2020.
