Wal-Mart seeks more diversity from suppliers

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to add diversity to the list of things the company expects from major suppliers, along with environmentally friendly products and low prices, according to the newly appointed head of the giant retailer’s buying operations.

Chief Merchandising Officer John Fleming wrote to his buyers that he wants more diversity among the supplier teams that work directly with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which buys its products from more than 60,000 companies.

The diversity drive comes as Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart faces the nation’s largest class-action lawsuit, which alleges that as many as 1.5 million former and current female employees were discriminated against in pay and promotions.