Kroger Ranks High for Multicultural Opportunities

The Kroger Co. has been named one of the Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities by DiversityBusiness.com.

Kroger was selected by more than 1.2 million women and minority-owned business owners who voted in an online election to name the Div50, a listing of the top 50 corporate and organizational buyers of diversity products and services throughout the United States. This is the third consecutive year that Kroger has received this recognition.

“Kroger is honored to be selected as one of the top 50 companies for creating multicultural business opportunities,” said Reuben Shaffer, Kroger’s chief diversity officer. “We are inspired daily to foster a diverse, respectful and inclusive business by the nearly 1,000 minority and women-owned businesses we work with. What makes this recognition so important to us is that the Div50 is directly selected by diversity business owners in the U.S.”

Kroger has been a leader in supplier diversity in all aspects of its business for more than 30 years. Kroger currently spends more than $1 billion annually with diversity businesses.

Cincinnati-based Kroger operates 2,439 supermarkets and multidepartment stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.

Other grocery retailers who made the 2012 ranking were Walmat (No. 2), Supervalu (No. 23), Target (No. 28) and Ahold USA (No. 42). Kroger came in at No. 15.