Walmart is looking for small business owners and entrepreneurs who would like their products sold in Walmart or Sam’s Club stores or on Walmart.com.
Walmart began accepting applications for its tenth annual Open Call event July 18, said Jason Fremstad, senior vice president of Supplier Development, Sourcing.
Fremstad said the event is part of the company’s 10-year, $350 billion commitment to strengthen U.S. manufacturing by sourcing products that are made, grown or assembled in the U.S.
Open Call will take place on Oct. 25-26, during Manufacturing Month 2023. Deadline for applications is Aug. 18.
Open Call, Walmart and Sam’s Club’s largest sourcing event, began back in 2014, when Walmart first opened its doors to more than 500 businesses to sell their U.S.-made products, Fremstad said. More than 1,100 small and medium businesses participated last year.
“Open Call presents an incredible opportunity for small and medium businesses to grow their businesses,” Fremstad said. “Entrepreneurs who earn a “golden ticket,” signifying a deal for Walmart to sell their products on its shelves or online, reach new customers, enabling them to grow. Through Open Call, Walmart has helped thousands of small and medium businesses thrive, with many expanding their U.S. manufacturing footprints and creating new manufacturing jobs in the communities they call home.”
Over the course of Walmart’s 10-year commitment to U.S. manufacturing, Open Call will have provided more than 9,000 opportunities for small and medium businesses to grow with Walmart, he said.
“Entrepreneurs who walk away with a golden ticket aren’t the only ones who enjoy Open Call opportunities,” Fremstad said. “All Open Call finalists will have access to mentoring sessions with Walmart leaders and special guests, where they can gain valuable business insights and resources. Plus, each finalist will have a one-on-one pitch meeting with Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants.”
To discover new Open Call entrepreneurs, Walmart is taking its U.S. manufacturing initiative on the road with the first-ever Walmart: Made Local trailer tour. The tour kicked off on July 10 in Frederick, Md., with additional stops in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago. Fremstad said entrepreneurs who visit the trailer can record a video to apply for Open Call 2023 and meet local Walmart suppliers who earned deals at previous Open Calls.
In addition to Open Calls, Walmart launched its Lead with Local snacks initiative earlier this year, where it sells locally made snacks prominently in stores, connecting customers to products from businesses in their hometowns, Fremstad said. More than 130 Walmart stores are participating so far.
“Investing in local, U.S.-made products isn’t just an opportunity for Walmart’s suppliers,” Fremstad said. “It also matters to Walmart’s customers.”
To apply for Open Call, visit https://engage.walmart-jump.com/open-call-2023.