The NRF Foundation and Qurate Retail Group are expanding the reach of their Small Business Spotlight initiative, which initially launched in May 2020. After successfully highlighting small businesses impacted by the pandemic this spring, the next round of the Small Business Spotlight showcases Black-owned businesses.
Throughout this summer and fall, QVC and HSN will feature 20 Black-owned businesses on air, online, on social and on their streaming services.
“Retailers serve every community across the country and support one out of every four jobs. Diversity and inclusion have always been at the heart of our industry, but we know there is so much more work to be done,” National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay says. “By amplifying Black voices and businesses through programs like the Small Business Spotlight, we are taking an important step to ensure our industry remains a catalyst for promoting equity and opportunity in America today.”
The featured companies are:
- Boon Boona Coffee
- Brooklyn Granola / It's NOLA
- Brown Toy Box
- Candid Art
- Chef Scott Creole BBQ
- Confidence
- Custom Arts Studio
- Emily's Heirloom Pound Cakes
- Ethnicitees
- Kahmune
- KimBees
- KYVAN Foods
- Lucky + Lovely
- Me & the Bees Lemonade
- Moisture Love
- Nutz about Popcorn
- Pooka Pure and Simple
- She's International Boutique
- The Brown Beauty Co-op
- Wandering Child Co
From August to October, one day will be dedicated to each of the 20 businesses on the QVC and HSN main broadcast channels, featuring multiple live appearances by the business owner via Skype. The businesses will be highlighted on dedicated landing pages on the QVC and HSN websites where video profiles and links to their ecommerce websites will be featured. Zulily is also promoting the campaign on its website, email and social.
In addition, business owners will be interviewed for the QVC “Shop Culture” podcast and have the opportunity to receive virtual mentoring from Qurate Retail Group team members.
This round of the Small Business Spotlight drew so many outstanding submissions that an additional 20 were selected to be featured on QVC and HSN’s websites and podcast as well.
All 40 businesses chosen for the program, as well as all that applied, will receive complimentary RISE Up trainings (designed to build key customer service, sales and business skills) from the NRF Foundation.
As NRF’s nonprofit 501(c)(3), everything the NRF Foundation does helps people do better for themselves, their families and their communities. This fall, we’re expanding opportunities to learn about retail from the people who power the industry with NRF Foundation All Access. Register now for our free program.