Walmart Hosts Annual Open Call for Products Made, Grown, or Assembled in the U.S.
BENTONVILLE, AR - Calling all U.S.-based suppliers! Walmart is looking to expand its network by bringing a new wave of locally made products to its shelves. Earlier this month, the retailer committed to investing $350 billion into U.S. manufacturing over the next ten years. Building on this effort, Walmart also kicked off the application process for its eighth annual Open Call, inviting entrepreneurs to apply for the opportunity to meet with Walmart buyers on June 30, 2021, via virtual pitch meetings.
“Open Call is like watching the American Dream play out in real time,” said Laura Phillips, Senior Vice President for Global Sourcing and US Manufacturing. “You see on full display the spirit and energy of new ideas and the hope of what could be, founded on creativity, hard work, and self-belief. It’s inspiring. Walmart’s announcement earlier this month to spend an additional $350 billion on products made, grown, or assembled in America makes Open Call even more exciting and important. We know how much this opportunity means to small businesses, and we can’t wait to see the new product submissions from potential new suppliers.”
The deadline to apply for participation in this year’s Open Call for products made, grown, or assembled in the United States is April 30, as noted in a press release. The application and additional information about the event are available via this link.
In addition to one-on-one pitch meetings with Walmart merchants, participants will have an opportunity to hear directly from Walmart executives at the hour-long kickoff of the event. Smaller breakout sessions will be available throughout the day where suppliers can learn more on valuable topics and about resources available to them.
This year’s Open Call attendees could secure opportunities that range from promoting products in a handful of stores in local markets to supplying products to hundreds, even thousands, of Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and online platforms.
We've yet to hear how this Open Call directly affects fresh produce suppliers, but we'll continue to be on the lookout for updates.
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