BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores here plans to launch a new minority supplier program in Chicago that will subsequently be expanded nationally, according to published reports.
Sources said Thomas Mars, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Wal-Mart, told a Metropolitan Planning Council luncheon Monday in Chicago that Wal-Mart will focus its efforts on using minority-owned supplier companies for food, general merchandise and professional services.
Wal-Mart has disclosed plans for at least eight stores in Chicago, including two supercenters, three Walmart Markets and three Walmart Express locations.
Wal-Mart already has minority partnership programs in place within its legal department and an informal joint-venture for general contractors, published reports indicated.
