Business
Walmart’s 9th Annual Open Call Application Period is Open for All Entrepreneurs with Products Made, Grown or Assembled in the U.S.
The retailer aims to fortify its commitment to support and to grow small businesses and U.S. manufacturing with the company’s biggest ‘Open Call’ to date
About this update from Walmart Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nThe retailer aims to fortify its commitment to support and to grow small businesses and U.S. manufacturing with the company’s biggest ‘Open Call’ to date\n\n BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nSmall business owners and entrepreneurs with a dream of selling their U.S. made, grown or assembled products to millions of customers now have their chance. Today, Walmart announced the opening of the application period for its 9th annual Open Call event.\n\nFor the first time in the program’s nine-year history, Walmart offered an exclusive early access period for Marketplace sellers to apply for Open Call, resulting in more than 2,000 companies registering more than 6,000 items they hope to present to merchants. If selected, participants will be able to choose from virtual or in-person pitch meetings with a Walmart or Sam’s Club merchant during the June 28-29 event.\n\nOpen Call is Walmart’s largest sourcing event that aims to bring products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. to shoppers across the country, both in-store and online. Open Call helps support Walmart’s 10-year commitment to American jobs through its $350 billion investment in items made, grown or assembled in the U.S.\n\nThis year, Walmart is offering mentoring sessions to all applicants registering for the event to provide tools to become successful selling on Walmart’s virtual and physical shelves. In addition to sourcing new products, Open Call also aims to expand work the retailer is already doing with current online sellers. Applications for the two-day hybrid event will be accepted through April 8.\n\n“We know how much supporting American products and American jobs truly does matter to our suppliers, entrepreneurs, sellers and local communities,” says Laura Phillips, Walmart senior vice president for Global Sourcing & U.S. Manufacturing. “With all the new tools and resources available this year, we’re hoping we can foster growth for many more businesses and Walmart Marketplace sellers that already work with us, along with those that are just getting started.”\n\nApplicants who receive a one-on-one product pitch meeting invitation will be given 30 minutes to showcase to Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants why their product and business should join the Walmart family. Entrepreneurs can secure deals ranging from supplying products to a handful of local stores to su...