Walmart invites U.S. entrepreneurs to pitch products

Walmart is initiating the application process for its seventh annual Open Call competition.

Open Call invites entrepreneurs with U.S.-manufactured products to apply for the opportunity to virtually meet with Walmart buyers on Oct. 1, 2020. The event kicks off Walmart’s celebration of U.S. Manufacturing Month and will include similar programming to previous years. 

In addition to one-on-one pitch meetings with Walmart buyers, participants will have an opportunity to hear directly from Walmart executives and learn from company leaders during smaller breakout sessions. More than 500 invited U.S. entrepreneurs and small businesses met face-to-face with buyers at Walmart’s Bentonville, Ark., headquarters during the June 2019 Open Call event. Several dozen participants got deals on the spot to put their products in Walmart stores, while others had the opportunity to continue discussions with the retailer.

"During this year of unprecedented challenges for U.S. businesses, Walmart remains committed to sourcing products made, grown, or assembled in the U.S.,” said Laura Phillips, Walmart senior VP for global sourcing & U.S. manufacturing. “By investing in products that support American jobs, we are able to bring new exciting products to our customers, support new jobs in our local communities and invest in small business across the country. For the first time, this year’s Open Call event will be virtual, enabling even broader participation from potential new suppliers.”

Open Call attendees could secure deals ranging from a handful of stores in local markets to supplying hundreds or thousands of Walmart and/or Sam’s Club stores, and on Walmart.com. The deadline to apply to participate in the 2020 Open Call event for U.S.-manufactured products is Aug. 10. The application and additional information about the event are available here.

In January 2013, Walmart publicly committed to help boost job creation and U.S. manufacturing through buying an additional $250 billion in products supporting American jobs by 2023. Walmart’s Open Call is one way in which the company continues to invest in this commitment.