Smart & Final: 'Racism Has No Place in Our Company, in Our Stores or in Our Lives'

“Let me be very clear: Black Lives Matter. They matter to Smart & Final, and they matter everywhere,” wrote David Hirz, president and CEO of Smart & Final, in a letter to the Commerce, Calif.-based retailer’s customers and communities. “Our entire team at Smart & Final is distraught and disgusted about the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and too many others.

Dave Hirz

“It’s important that we all continue to speak out about injustice. But merely speaking out is not enough. We must all step up to fight for equality and determine what role we can play in a more just society that works to end the systemic racism in our country moving forward,” continued Hirz.

Smart & Final is donating $100,000 to the educational arm of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense and Educational Fund, an organization advocating for racial justice. It has further committed to “taking a hard look at ourselves internally and determining where we can do better.”

Its Diversity & Inclusion Committee will be tasked with educating associates on racial issues and ensuring it is properly serving its black Smart & Final associates and customers.

“For us, taking action also means recommitting to the communities we serve, many of which are in incredibly diverse neighborhoods. We recognize that it is during times like these that we are needed more than ever,” wrote Hirz, adding that Smart & Final’s team members have worked around the clock to keep its stores safe, open and ready to serve its communities, including the neighborhoods in which its stores were damaged and looted during recent riots.

“Racism has no place in our company, in our stores or in our lives,” stated Hirz of Smart & Final, which was founded in Los Angeles 149 years ago.

“Throughout our long history, we’ve learned the importance of coming together to rebuild and heal. We did it in 1992, and we will do it again. We realize that there is not a simple solution, and we don’t have all the answers. But we’re committed to taking steps forward and doing better together.”