Dive Brief:

• ADUSA Supply Chain, Ahold Delhaize’s U.S. distribution arm, announced on Wednesday it has signed onto a public commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• In joining more than 2,000 other business leaders in the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, ADUSA Supply Chain is pledging to take four outlined actions, like implementing unconscious bias education and sharing what has and hasn't worked with regarding initiatives around diversity and inclusion.
• The announcement is the latest push from Ahold Delhaize to create better conditions for workers as more companies strive to improve diversity and inclusion.

Dive Insight:

The pledge builds on ADUSA Supply Chain's diversity and inclusions efforts as its parent company looks to boost representation from long-marginalized groups and foster a more inclusive work environment.

ADUSA Supply Chain launched its diversity, equity and inclusion initiative called "thrive" in 2021, according to the announcement. The logistics arm, which consists of a family of supply chain companies that support Ahold Delhaize's U.S. banners, is in the process of converting to self-distribution, with the aim of being more than 85% company-controlled by the end of 2022. 

Launched in 2017, the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion initiative is led by a steering committee of CEOs and business leaders from 10 businesses and organizations, including Deloitte US, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Accenture. 

Along with the main outlined actions, the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge commits the signees to tracking progress within their own companies and updating each other on their efforts and how they are measuring their work. Companies that sign on must agree to implement all of the elements in the pledge. 

"By taking this action, ADUSA Supply Chain commits to growing a workplace environment where diverse perspectives and experiences are celebrated, all associates are respected, and associates are encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion," the announcement noted. 

Ahold Delhaize’s U.S. banners, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford, Stop & Shop and Food Lion, have already joined the pledge. Peapod Digital Labs and Retail Business Services, the Netherlands-based grocery company's e-commerce arm and services branch, respectively, have also signed on.

Several major grocery chains, including Kroger, Wegmans and Albertsons, are part of the commitment, along with retailers Walmart, Target and Meijer.

Ahold Delhaize and several other retailers, including Albertsons and Sam's Club, have recently unveiled steps to boost supplier diversity. 

Peapod Digital Labs recently announced it will host four virtual events quarterly this year to meet with certified, diverse-owned businesses. Food Lion, The Giant Company, Hannaford and Giant Food are among the dozens of retailers that are participating in a virtual event in April hosted by Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing to connect with food and beverage brands that are “diversity qualified or minority owned."