Walgreens, ECRM partner on Supplier Diversity Summit
DEERFIELD, Ill. and SOLON, Ohio — ECRM on Thursday announced that it would be teaming up with Walgreens Boots Alliance on a one-day Supplier Diversity Summit. The summit will be held on July 19 in Chicago, when the retailer’s category managers will meet with diverse-owned suppliers in the health-and-wellness, beauty and personal care, competitive convenience and OTC/advanced care categories.
The event is part of Walgreens’ efforts to partner with and promote diverse and small business suppliers to grow their enterprises.
“Since the formalization of our program in 2007, we have worked with many diverse-owned businesses in the community,” Walgreens director of supplier diversity Rona Fourte said. “The ECRM Diversity Summit builds on this commitment and we look forward to meeting suppliers with new innovative offerings to enhance the selection of items that our customers value as we champion everyone’s right to be happy and healthy.”
At the event, Walgreens’ nine category managers will have private, pre-scheduled meetings with as many as 17 suppliers, who also will attend a keynote presentation during lunch. Ahead of the summit, ECRM will host two webcast presentations featuring Walgreens representatives discussing the company’s diversity program and outlining category managers’ expectations so suppliers can prepare for the meetings.
“ECRM is excited to be partnering with Walgreen’s Boots Alliance to create a program that enables it to find and source supplier diversity from within the consumer packaged goods industry,” ECRM SVP retail Wayne Bennett said. “Aligning the goals of the merchant teams, ECRM has developed a comprehensive approach to efficiently onboard these suppliers with educational resources, training modules and access to industry service providers to win on the shelf. The Walgreens Supplier Diversity Summit will be an outstanding day of learning, access and network-building.”
Suppliers interested in being participating can contact ECRM senior retail solutions account manager Shelly Wright at [email protected] or by phone at (440) 498-0500. Suppliers also must complete an online application for Walgreens’ consideration. The application deadline is May 1.
The event is part of Walgreens’ efforts to partner with and promote diverse and small business suppliers to grow their enterprises.
“Since the formalization of our program in 2007, we have worked with many diverse-owned businesses in the community,” Walgreens director of supplier diversity Rona Fourte said. “The ECRM Diversity Summit builds on this commitment and we look forward to meeting suppliers with new innovative offerings to enhance the selection of items that our customers value as we champion everyone’s right to be happy and healthy.”
At the event, Walgreens’ nine category managers will have private, pre-scheduled meetings with as many as 17 suppliers, who also will attend a keynote presentation during lunch. Ahead of the summit, ECRM will host two webcast presentations featuring Walgreens representatives discussing the company’s diversity program and outlining category managers’ expectations so suppliers can prepare for the meetings.
“ECRM is excited to be partnering with Walgreen’s Boots Alliance to create a program that enables it to find and source supplier diversity from within the consumer packaged goods industry,” ECRM SVP retail Wayne Bennett said. “Aligning the goals of the merchant teams, ECRM has developed a comprehensive approach to efficiently onboard these suppliers with educational resources, training modules and access to industry service providers to win on the shelf. The Walgreens Supplier Diversity Summit will be an outstanding day of learning, access and network-building.”
Suppliers interested in being participating can contact ECRM senior retail solutions account manager Shelly Wright at [email protected] or by phone at (440) 498-0500. Suppliers also must complete an online application for Walgreens’ consideration. The application deadline is May 1.