Supplier Diversity

Having a diverse supply chain that reflects the fabric of the communities served by Belk stores will enhance our ability to meet customers' needs, earn their loyalty and achieve our business objectives.

Our supplier diversity program is aimed at increasing the representation of women and minority-owned businesses in our supplier relationships and leveraging the unique talents, perspectives and abilities of a diverse supplier base to benefit our customers, communities and company.

The first phase of the company's supplier diversity initiative is focused on suppliers who provide Belk with non-retail products such as supplies, equipment, building materials and furnishings, and general services. The second phase being developed by Belk will encompass merchandise suppliers whose goods are sold in our stores.

"Belk is committed to doing business with qualified minority- and women-owned suppliers. This strengthens our supplier base and enables us to benefit from the innovative products, ideas and business practices offered by these businesses. We believe our suppliers should reflect the diversity of the markets served by Belk and we strive to achieve this by reaching out to minority- and women-owned companies and encouraging them to become supplier partners with us."

Tim Belk, chairman and CEO

Non-Retail Supplier Diversity Registration Process

Belk strives to support and develop relationships with non-retail suppliers who register as minority or women-owned businesses through our New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process. This allows Belk to find talented new suppliers to provide high quality goods and services and at the same time enables suppliers to increase revenues and build their business. In many cases, the communities served by Belk also benefit when suppliers located in our markets participate in our supplier diversity program. "Non-retail" suppliers are defined as companies that provide supplies, equipment and services to Belk, excluding merchandise sold in Belk stores.

Building and fostering a diverse supplier base that includes minority- and women-owned businesses enables Belk to source new and innovative products and services. We continuously seek qualified new suppliers of goods and services and we encourage interest from potential non-retail supplier partners through our supplier diversity initiatives.

Expectations of Suppliers

As a company whose tradition of success dates back to our founding in 1888, Belk maintains high standards of quality and service and seeks to do business with qualified suppliers who can consistently provide:

• High quality products.
• Competitive prices
• Superior service levels that meet the needs of Belk stores and the company's other facilities and businesses in its multi-state market area in the Southern U.S.

Non-retail suppliers who do business with Belk must comply with our business requirements to register and provide their diversity certification status. Supplier registration assures that standards are in place and provides credibility to our program. A diverse supplier is a minority - or women owned business that is at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a US citizens belonging to one or more of the following groups:

Hispanic American means a U.S. citizen whose origins are in South and Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, or the Iberian Peninsula (including Portugal). Asian American means a U.S. citizen whose origins are in Japan, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh. Native American means American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians.

If you have questions or need additional information about our New Supplier Setup and Diversity Registration process, contact the Belk associate you are working with or our Corporate Procurement Department at procurement@belk.com.

To become a Belk non-retail supplier, all suppliers including minority or women-owned businesses must complete the New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process. Click on this link to learn more about this process and to complete the registration form: New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile.

Non-Retail Supplier Opportunities

Examples of types of non-retail products and services that Belk seeks to purchase include:

• Office supplies
• Badges, buttons, pins
• Cleaning supplies
• Data processing services and materials
• Electrical equipment and supplies
• Floor and wall coverings
• Housekeeping and janitorial services and supplies
• Printing and photography services
• Contract cleaning
• Facilities management
• Contract painting
• Construction services and materials
• Building planning and design services
• Employment services
• Advertising and marketing services
• Visual presentation services and materials
• Trash removal and recycling services
• Contract services
• Travel services

Belk purchases non-retail goods and services in a variety of functional areas, including data processing materials and services, printing and office supplies, electrical equipment, contract cleaning, construction materials, and advertising and marketing. The Corporate Procurement Department located at the Belk corporate office in Charlotte, N.C. handles these purchases.

Non-Retail Supplier Guidelines

As a potential Belk non-retail supplier, you will need to provide information as part of the registration process that describes your products or services and how they will benefit Belk in terms of:

• Quality,
• Value,
• Price, and
• Service.

Non-Retail New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile Process

The Belk associate working with a new supplier will assist the supplier in completing the New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process or the supplier can complete the process online by clicking on this link: New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile. Registration is required for any new non-retail supplier in order to do business with Belk, Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I register my company's diversity status in order to do business with Belk?

The Belk associate you are working with will help you complete your New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile or you can do it yourself by clicking on this link. New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile.

2. Are there other requirements for new suppliers in order to do business with Belk?

Yes. All new suppliers must also provide a signed W-9 Form along with the completed New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile. Once these two steps are completed, a Vendor Identification Number will be issued, which is required in order for Belk to process any invoices from your company.

3. Where should I send my completed W-9 form?

Please fax your completed W-9 form to 704-357-1594 or scan and email to VCG@belk.com .

4. Who can I call if I have questions or problems with the registration process?

Please call the Belk Vendor Control Group at 704-426-8154 or 704-426-8159. You may also email questions or concerns to VCG@belk.com .

5. Who can I contact if I have questions about Belk's New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process and/or opportunities to provide Belk with non-retail goods or services?

Please contact Belk by email at procurement@belk.com .

6. What if I choose not to participate in the New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process?

All new suppliers are required to register after November 2008 in order to do business with Belk. We value our suppliers and our goal is to maintain long-term relationships with those with whom we have aligned business goals and interests. The New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process is designed to be as simple as possible, while allowing us to collect pertinent information that will allow us to improve our supplier processes.

7. How will the information that I provide for the New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process be used?

We will use the information to improve our supplier processes and ensure the accuracy of the information contained in our supplier data base files. One of Belk's top diversity initiatives is to include more minority- and women-owned businesses in our non-retail supplier sourcing. In addition, the supplier information we obtain will be used in conjunction with our e-procurement/key item bidding program and other Belk procurement initiatives.

8. A woman or a minority owns my company, but we are not certified. Should I complete the New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process?

Yes, our goal is for all Belk non-retail suppliers to participate and register through the New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process.

9. Where can I get more information about how to become certified as a minority- owned, women-owned or small disadvantaged business?

You can contact one of the following organizations:

National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC)
1040 Avenue of the Americas, Second Floor
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212-944-2430
Fax: 212-719-9611
http://www.nmsdc.org

Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
1710 H Street, NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-872-5515
Fax: 202-872-5505
http://www.wbenc.org

U.S. Small Business Administration Small Disadvantaged Business Certification (SDBC)
Tel. 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722)
https://sba8a.symplicity.com/applicants/guide

10. How do I become a certified company?

You should contact the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc., the Women's Business Enterprise National Council or the U.S. Small Business Administration and complete the registration process.

11. What is an MWBE (minority or woman-owned business enterprise)/diverse supplier?

Minority- and women owned businesses are often referred to as MWBEs, or diverse suppliers. Consistent with the federal government, we define MWBEs to be businesses at least 51% owned by a U.S. citizen who is a woman or minority.

12. Will suppliers with National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) or Small Disadvantaged Business Certification (SDBC) certifications receive special preference in the Belk bidding/supplier selection process?

NMSDC, WBENC or SDBC status is a factor in the supplier selection process, along with the capability to offer quality, cost-competitive products and services.

13. Is my business relationship with Belk at risk if my company does not have NMSDC, WBENC or SDBC certification?

Belk encourages all minority- and women-owned and socially disadvantaged companies to obtain certification.

14. How long does the process take once I complete my New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile?

The new supplier registration process includes the review and verification of the information that you submit against the current and future needs and requirements of the Belk departments and/or divisions that would purchase your services or products. Your company will be assigned a Belk Vendor Identification Number within one to two weeks after you submit a signed W-9 Form and complete the New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile process,

15. Is there any cost to participate in Belk's New Supplier Registration and Diversity Profile program?

There is no charge for participating in the program.

16. What are my chances of being selected as a supplier?

Belk seeks to do business with qualified suppliers who can consistently provide high quality products, competitive prices and superior service levels that meet the company's business needs and standards. We are committed to providing opportunities to minority-and women-owned and socially disadvantaged companies to do business with us.

17. Should I contact a Belk store or the corporate office directly?

Your first contact should be with Belk's Corporate Procurement Department at procurement@belk.com.

18. What if I am interested in supplying Belk but I'm not a U.S. based minority- or women-owned enterprise?

If your company has products and services that may be needed by Belk, please contact Belk's Corporate Procurement Department at procurement@belk.com.