From Progressive Grocer
The Kroger Co. is serving as a beacon for American business by creating a grand blueprint for retailers, restaurants and foodservice companies, manufacturers, logistics and distribution centers, and other industries to follow as they start crafting plans for safe work environments during the COVID-19 crisis.
Kroger’s Blueprint for Businesses includes actionable recommendations and learnings that the company has applied in the last six weeks to safeguard its associates, customers and communities, as well as what it has learned through regular interaction with business leaders in other countries, including Italy, Singapore and China – all of which were ahead of the U.S. in terms of the pandemic cycling through their countries.
“With nearly 2,800 grocery stores, 35 manufacturing plants, 44 distribution centers and 460,000 associates across the country, Kroger has learned and continues to learn a lot while keeping our stores and supply chain open and serving America during the pandemic,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO. “As an essential business, we have led with our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit and have taken extensive measures across our footprint to safeguard our associates, customers and supply chain. We are sharing what we’ve learned to help businesses begin to reopen safely and in sync with their respective state plans.”
Many recommendations in Kroger’s crisis guide can be adapted for any industry sector, and the blueprint provides a set of distinct, deliberate processes for several key sectors, including: Retail, Manufacturing, Distribution Centers/Supply Chain, Food Service/Restaurants, and Office environments.
Late last week, several U.S. governors and business organizations asked Kroger to help their state’s businesses to reopen safely. Kroger says it developed this new platform – KrogerBlueprint.com – in 36 hours to begin providing immediate assistance to states and businesses with plans to update with new learnings in real time. For the rest of the story click here.
