Kroger Seeks Partnerships with Small Brands and Producers

Our Town DeKalb Staff

Kroger’s Atlanta Division, which includes Georgia, Eastern Alabama and South Carolina, is working to advance supplier inclusion by helping small brands and producers learn how to establish and grow retail partnerships through Kroger’s Small Business Resource Guide.

“In 2020, Kroger achieved $4.1 billion in diverse supplier spend, representing an increase of 21% versus a year ago,” says Felix Turner, manager of corporate affairs for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “Our goal is to reach $10 Tucker is home to several small brands, such as billion in diverse supplier Royal Thanaka beauty products. spend by 2030. We are excited about the Small Business Resource Guide – and its potential to help us achieve this goal by more deeply engaging with small businesses as they seek to expand.”

The recently released guide shares best practices on product development, pricing, supply chain, promotion, research and preparation, outreach, and partnership development. The guide also features success spotlights from companies like Cacique, 4Sisters Rice, TrueChoicePack, and True Shea.

Kroger currently works with more than 1,600 diverse suppliers, ranging from food and beverage to health and beauty. 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.

The Small Business Resource Guide is part of Kroger’s 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 it serves. It is available through a free download at thekrogerco.com/wp-content/ uploads/2021/05/Small-Business-ResourceGuide.pdf.