ECRM hosts Bi-Lo, suppliers at grocery event

Business innovation and technology leader Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) hosted a category review for Bi-Lo Holdings at ECRM’s Snack & Dry Grocery event in February.

Bi-Lo, which operates approximately 800 stores under the Bi-Lo, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie supermarket banners, met with more than 70 suppliers over three days, including potential participants in its Supplier Diversity Program.

“We operate in one of the most diverse areas of the country. Our desire is to provide products and services that reflect this diversity,” said Derek Lott, senior director of supplier diversity at Bi-Lo Holdings. The program aims to develop beneficial, long-term and successful partnerships with minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses.

“Diverse suppliers met with three Bi-Lo Holdings buyers that attended ECRM’s Snack & Dry Grocery event last month in Jacksonville,” said Kate Armstrong, supplier diversity manager at Bi-Lo Holdings. “This most recent ECRM experience bridges the diversity compliance work that we do, with the normal retail/buying process. It’s a real game changer for us.”

ECRM’s Snack & Dry Grocery Efficient Program Planning Session welcomed more than 70 businesses to present their snack and dry grocery products for the opportunity to be featured in BI-LO, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie supermarket stores across eight Southeastern states. Through Bi-Lo Holdings’ event participation, the company engaged new suppliers, strengthened relationships with local suppliers, and identified new food and beverage products relevant to Bi-Lo Holdings consumer audience.

“For more than 20 years ECRM has brought buyers and sellers together during our EPPS events, and what we have learned over time is the one on one meeting format can be customized to fit each individual attendee need,” said Sarah Sweitzer, SVP of grocery at ECRM. “We talk to the attendees, understand their objectives and then utilize our technology, database and meeting format to create an event formatted to their needs. We are very excited be a part of Bi-Lo Holdings’ supplier diversity initiatives.”

For a complete list of ECRM events visit http://ecrm.marketgate.com/Events/.