Ahold to enhance supplier diversity

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA inked a deal with RangeMe, an online platform that streamlines new product discovery between retailers and product suppliers. Specifically, the technology platform allows Ahold to discover and source more women-owned and minority-owned businesses with innovative and quality products for its division stores.

Ahold USA stated it will use RangeMe to not only scale its product and supplier discovery efforts, but also to manage the company’s inbound product submissions.

"Our goal is to develop more mutually beneficial and successful partnerships with small and diverse suppliers," said Nick Bertram, SVP of merchandising strategy and support, Ahold USA. "This partnership with RangeMe reinforces our commitment to accomplish this at scale while providing our division customers with amazing products at competitive costs."

"We are honored to partner with Ahold USA to scale such an important initiative in our industry," said Nicky Jackson, founder and CEO of RangeMe. "It's refreshing to work with such a forward-thinking retailer to bring greater opportunity to our growing and diverse supplier base."

Ahold USA is the parent company of many grocery brands, including Stop & Shop New England, Stop & Shop New York Metro, Giant Landover, Giant Carlisle and online grocery Peapod.

San Francisco-based RangeMe also announced it struck a deal whereby beauty retailer Sephora will also utilize its services.