Diversity and inclusion in sourcing
Diversity and inclusion in our sourcing – ensuring that the products we stock meet the diverse cultural needs of our community, and also doing everything we can to represent a diverse range of suppliers and tackle underrepresentation in retail – is something we’re taking seriously and are committed to improving.
In a reflection of the words of our Managing Director, Gene Joyner, following the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted across the world in 2020, “we have a duty of care to our colleagues, customers and suppliers to do more: we want to ensure that our food community is always an inclusive, welcoming and safe space for colleagues, customers and suppliers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds”.
We also recognise that many other groups in society, not defined by race, are underrepresented in leadership and ownership roles in many sectors, as well as having varied and specific requirements when it comes to the products they need access to.
In our sourcing
Where possible—meaning that our rigorous sourcing policies are met, as well as our needs as a business—and when the information is voluntarily provided, we will give preference to products from suppliers with ownership from underrepresented groups and populations. We actively encourage supplier applications from and seek out new products from businesses owned by people from underrepresented groups and populations.
We are mindful of the needs of the communities using each of our stores, and our buying team and managers take steps to cater to our diverse customer base.
Where we want to be
We believe it’s important to find out where we are, so that we can commit to doing better in the future. We’re monitoring the range of brands from underrepresented groups and populations that we stock, with a view to setting targets to improve it in the future.
We are exploring ways we can invite more input from our customers and teams to make sure that our product range meets their needs.
Our aim is to make our entire food community feel welcome and included through the products we offer.
How are we keeping an eye on this policy and putting it into practice?
We have an internal staff group addressing the needs and interests of our black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, including in our sourcing.
Our supplier questionnaire includes an optional question to help us identify businesses owned by women, black, Asian or minority ethnic people, or people from other underrepresented groups or populations.
Our buying team actively seeks out brands owned by people from underrepresented groups and populations, and products for the diverse communities using our stores.