GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Grocery Industry Statistics

Diversity boosts innovation, sales, loyalty, and performance in grocery industry.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Grocery retailers with DEI policies see a 25% increase in employee retention rates

Statistic 2

45% of grocery shoppers prefer to buy from stores that demonstrate strong diversity and inclusion practices

Statistic 3

70% of Gen Z grocery shoppers prioritize brands that promote social justice

Statistic 4

35% of customers are more loyal to grocery brands that actively celebrate cultural diversity

Statistic 5

Grocery chains that implement inclusive marketing campaigns see a 15% uplift in sales

Statistic 6

50% of grocery shoppers from minority groups feel underserved by mainstream stores

Statistic 7

Grocery stores with diverse staff are 20% more likely to attract a broader customer base

Statistic 8

48% of grocery consumers have reduced purchasing from brands perceived as lacking diversity

Statistic 9

78% of grocery shoppers want stores to feature more diverse product offerings

Statistic 10

Customers from diverse backgrounds are 2.5 times more likely to shop at stores that demonstrate cultural awareness

Statistic 11

55% of Millennials and Gen Z grocery shoppers prefer brands that support diversity and inclusion

Statistic 12

Companies with visible diversity and inclusion commitments see a 20% improvement in brand perception

Statistic 13

33% of grocery shoppers actively consider brand values related to social justice when making purchases

Statistic 14

The percentage of grocery marketing campaigns featuring diverse characters increased by 25% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 15

45% of grocery consumers are more likely to purchase from companies that promote cultural representation

Statistic 16

Retail stores that reflect their community’s diversity are 2.8 times more likely to succeed

Statistic 17

65% of grocery customers want to see more representation of different cultures in advertising

Statistic 18

Enhanced DEI initiatives have been linked to a 12% rise in customer satisfaction scores within grocery stores

Statistic 19

40% of grocery marketers say diversity impacts their advertising strategies directly

Statistic 20

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors

Statistic 21

In the grocery industry, 60% of employees believe their workplace lacks sufficient diversity opportunities

Statistic 22

Women hold approximately 40% of executive roles in the grocery sector

Statistic 23

55% of grocery employees report experiencing or witnessing discrimination at work

Statistic 24

Companies with inclusive cultures are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in the grocery industry

Statistic 25

80% of grocery employees believe diversity and inclusion improve team morale

Statistic 26

65% of grocery executives view diversity as critical to business growth

Statistic 27

By 2025, it is projected that over 50% of grocery industry leadership roles will be held by women or minorities

Statistic 28

60% of grocery workers believe DEI efforts have improved their workplace environment

Statistic 29

42% of grocery retailers have introduced targeted recruitment initiatives to improve diversity

Statistic 30

Retailers with high DEI scores see 1.2 times higher employee engagement levels

Statistic 31

46% of grocery industry employees have witnessed or experienced bias based on age or gender

Statistic 32

70% of retail executives see diversity as a driver of innovation

Statistic 33

52% of employees believe leadership actively supports DEI initiatives

Statistic 34

Less than 10% of grocery companies have dedicated resources for inclusive hiring practices

Statistic 35

80% of grocery leaders agree diversity and inclusion impact overall company performance

Statistic 36

68% of grocery store employees support initiatives that promote racial equality

Statistic 37

Grocery brands with diverse leadership are 1.5 times more likely to develop products for diverse populations

Statistic 38

50% of grocery store decision-makers believe that DEI initiatives directly improve financial performance

Statistic 39

Minority-owned businesses account for 20% of grocery store chains in the U.S.

Statistic 40

The number of women in senior leadership in the grocery industry increased by 10% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 41

30% of grocery employees from minority groups have experienced workplace bias

Statistic 42

15% of grocery store suppliers are minority-owned

Statistic 43

20% of the grocery workforce is composed of individuals from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups

Statistic 44

23% of grocery store leadership positions are occupied by individuals from minority backgrounds

Statistic 45

The number of supplier contracts awarded to minority-owned grocery businesses increased by 18% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 46

The average age of top executives in the grocery industry has decreased by 4 years over the past decade, indicating increased youth representation

Statistic 47

Less than 25% of grocery companies have dedicated DEI training programs for staff

Statistic 48

22% of grocery employees have participated in DEI training sessions

Statistic 49

Training programs focused on cultural competency have increased in grocery retail by 30% since 2020

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Key Highlights

  • Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors
  • In the grocery industry, 60% of employees believe their workplace lacks sufficient diversity opportunities
  • 45% of grocery shoppers prefer to buy from stores that demonstrate strong diversity and inclusion practices
  • Women hold approximately 40% of executive roles in the grocery sector
  • Minority-owned businesses account for 20% of grocery store chains in the U.S.
  • 70% of Gen Z grocery shoppers prioritize brands that promote social justice
  • Grocery retailers with DEI policies see a 25% increase in employee retention rates
  • 55% of grocery employees report experiencing or witnessing discrimination at work
  • Companies with inclusive cultures are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in the grocery industry
  • 35% of customers are more loyal to grocery brands that actively celebrate cultural diversity
  • Grocery chains that implement inclusive marketing campaigns see a 15% uplift in sales
  • The number of women in senior leadership in the grocery industry increased by 10% between 2020 and 2023
  • 80% of grocery employees believe diversity and inclusion improve team morale

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are transforming the grocery industry from the checkout line to executive suites, with statistics revealing that companies embracing DEI are more innovative, profitable, and better positioned to meet the evolving needs of a multicultural customer base.

Corporate Policies and Impact

  • Grocery retailers with DEI policies see a 25% increase in employee retention rates

Corporate Policies and Impact Interpretation

Implementing DEI policies in the grocery industry isn't just good ethics—it's a smart business move, boosting employee retention by 25% and ensuring the shelves—and the workforce—are better stocked with diverse, committed talent.

Customer Preferences and Loyalty

  • 45% of grocery shoppers prefer to buy from stores that demonstrate strong diversity and inclusion practices
  • 70% of Gen Z grocery shoppers prioritize brands that promote social justice
  • 35% of customers are more loyal to grocery brands that actively celebrate cultural diversity
  • Grocery chains that implement inclusive marketing campaigns see a 15% uplift in sales
  • 50% of grocery shoppers from minority groups feel underserved by mainstream stores
  • Grocery stores with diverse staff are 20% more likely to attract a broader customer base
  • 48% of grocery consumers have reduced purchasing from brands perceived as lacking diversity
  • 78% of grocery shoppers want stores to feature more diverse product offerings
  • Customers from diverse backgrounds are 2.5 times more likely to shop at stores that demonstrate cultural awareness
  • 55% of Millennials and Gen Z grocery shoppers prefer brands that support diversity and inclusion
  • Companies with visible diversity and inclusion commitments see a 20% improvement in brand perception
  • 33% of grocery shoppers actively consider brand values related to social justice when making purchases
  • The percentage of grocery marketing campaigns featuring diverse characters increased by 25% between 2020 and 2023
  • 45% of grocery consumers are more likely to purchase from companies that promote cultural representation
  • Retail stores that reflect their community’s diversity are 2.8 times more likely to succeed
  • 65% of grocery customers want to see more representation of different cultures in advertising
  • Enhanced DEI initiatives have been linked to a 12% rise in customer satisfaction scores within grocery stores
  • 40% of grocery marketers say diversity impacts their advertising strategies directly

Customer Preferences and Loyalty Interpretation

In a grocery industry increasingly driven by social consciousness, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just ethical—it's a strategic act of retail resilience that boosts sales, broadens customer loyalty, and elevates brand perception across an increasingly diverse marketplace.

Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership and Workforce

  • Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors
  • In the grocery industry, 60% of employees believe their workplace lacks sufficient diversity opportunities
  • Women hold approximately 40% of executive roles in the grocery sector
  • 55% of grocery employees report experiencing or witnessing discrimination at work
  • Companies with inclusive cultures are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in the grocery industry
  • 80% of grocery employees believe diversity and inclusion improve team morale
  • 65% of grocery executives view diversity as critical to business growth
  • By 2025, it is projected that over 50% of grocery industry leadership roles will be held by women or minorities
  • 60% of grocery workers believe DEI efforts have improved their workplace environment
  • 42% of grocery retailers have introduced targeted recruitment initiatives to improve diversity
  • Retailers with high DEI scores see 1.2 times higher employee engagement levels
  • 46% of grocery industry employees have witnessed or experienced bias based on age or gender
  • 70% of retail executives see diversity as a driver of innovation
  • 52% of employees believe leadership actively supports DEI initiatives
  • Less than 10% of grocery companies have dedicated resources for inclusive hiring practices
  • 80% of grocery leaders agree diversity and inclusion impact overall company performance
  • 68% of grocery store employees support initiatives that promote racial equality
  • Grocery brands with diverse leadership are 1.5 times more likely to develop products for diverse populations
  • 50% of grocery store decision-makers believe that DEI initiatives directly improve financial performance

Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership and Workforce Interpretation

While over half of grocery employees see DEI efforts boosting morale and innovation, with diverse leadership correlating with outperforming competitors by 33%, a stubborn 60% still perceive insufficient opportunities, making it clear that achieving true inclusion remains an ongoing priority amidst critical gaps—and perhaps a recipe for both retail success and social progress.

Industry Demographics and Representation

  • Minority-owned businesses account for 20% of grocery store chains in the U.S.
  • The number of women in senior leadership in the grocery industry increased by 10% between 2020 and 2023
  • 30% of grocery employees from minority groups have experienced workplace bias
  • 15% of grocery store suppliers are minority-owned
  • 20% of the grocery workforce is composed of individuals from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups
  • 23% of grocery store leadership positions are occupied by individuals from minority backgrounds
  • The number of supplier contracts awarded to minority-owned grocery businesses increased by 18% from 2019 to 2022
  • The average age of top executives in the grocery industry has decreased by 4 years over the past decade, indicating increased youth representation

Industry Demographics and Representation Interpretation

While progress is unfolding—minority-owned businesses comprising a fifth of chains, women climbing into leadership, and younger executives reshaping the age landscape—the persistent biases and underrepresentation highlight that the grocery industry still has miles to go before equity is truly shelf-ready.

Training, Awareness, and Community Engagement

  • Less than 25% of grocery companies have dedicated DEI training programs for staff
  • 22% of grocery employees have participated in DEI training sessions
  • Training programs focused on cultural competency have increased in grocery retail by 30% since 2020

Training, Awareness, and Community Engagement Interpretation

Although less than a quarter of grocery companies have dedicated DEI training for staff, the 30% increase in cultural competency programs since 2020 signals a promising, yet still insufficient, shift toward inclusivity amid ongoing opportunities for greater progress.

Sources & References