Albertsons Said That Combatting Racism Is A ‘More Important Agenda’ Than Focusing On Damaged Stores
A statement from President and CEO of Alberstons Companies Vivek Sankaran "categorically and unambiguously" condemned racism and brushed off damaged stores in favor of speaking to its customers and employees about race issues.
Sankaran, head of the company that owns supermarkets like Safeway, Acme, and Jewel-Osco began by addressing George Floyd, a Black man who died after a police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes last month. Sankaran briefly mentioned stores that had been closed or damaged by "rioters," which Fox Business determined to be two Vons locations and a Safeway in California, but went on to address bigger issues.
"We will fix these stores and be back in business soon, but we have a more important agenda that demands our collective attention immediately," the statement read.
He went on to say that the company will continue to monitor its diversity and inclusivity policies but that "workplace policies and procedures are a small part of the solution. Listening with compassion and taking action when it is needed are critical to ensuring that racism and hatred have no place at our company."
"I am fortunate that I have spent my career at companies where the voices of employees are heard, and as always, we are committed to ensuring that is the case at Albertsons Companies," Sankaran said.
Alberstons plans to hold a town hall with talking points that will be distributed to everyone in its company, but the statement did not elaborate on any concrete steps the company will take. This comes as only a few major grocery stores have issued public statements on the Black Lives Matter movement. Trader Joe's recently issued a statement supporting its Black crew members and customers, and Kroger announced it would be establishing a $5 million fund to "improve inclusion and equity in communities across the nation."
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