Walmart Supports U.S. Small Businesses With New Program
With a focus on helping U.S.-based small businesses grow, Walmart is launching its Grow with US initiative, which will offer training, mentorship, and resources companies need to do business with the nation’s largest retailer.
According to the retailer, more than two-thirds of its total product spend is on items made, grown, or assembled in the United States, with more than 60% of Walmart U.S. suppliers being small businesses.
To help these organizations grow. Walmart is offering a voluntary, four-step program that provides access to the following:
• Step 1: Learn — Walmart’s Supplier Academy offers a free, tailored curriculum designed to help small businesses succeed in Walmart’s U.S. stores and online Marketplace. The program includes 30 e-learning modules across four distinct learning paths, including Welcome to Walmart 101, Retail Ready Capabilities, Business Fundamentals, and Advanced Learning.
• Step 2: Get Discovered — Businesses can showcase their products through Walmart’s product discovery opportunities, including our annual U.S. Open Call, RangeMe product discovery tool, or Walmart Marketplace.
• Step 3: Mentorship — Select participants are matched with experienced mentors to help navigate the retail landscape.
• Step 4: Financing — Eligible small businesses can apply for financial support through Walmart’s Early Payment Program and Bridge Marketplace.
Company officials said Grow with US is part of Walmart’s expanding commitment to small business development, joining a growing family of programs around the world, including Crece con Walmart in Mexico and Vriddhi in India.
U.S. small businesses interested in participating in the program can get started by registering with Walmart as a small business by providing a voluntary SBA certification or requesting small business verification through Walmart.
In addition to Grow with US, the company recently announced that applications for its annual Open Call event will open June 24. Open Call offers U.S.-based small and medium-sized businesses an opportunity to pitch their shelf-ready products — made, grown, or assembled in the United States — directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants. The event will be held October 7-8, in Bentonville, Ark.
During Small Business Month, Walmart is coming to innovators and entrepreneurs with pop-up pitch events that give them the chance to meet with Walmart buyers, get real-time feedback, and potentially score a fast pass to the main event in Bentonville.
This year’s Road to Open Call events will be held:
- May 1: Orlando, Fla.
- May 9: Kansas City, Mo.
- May 13: Baltimore, Md.
- May 21: Austin, Tex.
More information about Walmart’s Road to Open Call at Walmart.com/OpenCall.
