Walmart opens application period for its largest sourcing event: Open Call
Walmart is now accepting applications for its 10th , inviting small business owners and entrepreneurs to apply to pitch their products to be sold on Walmart, Sam
The Open Call event is key to Walmart's 10-year, $350 billion commitment to strengthening U.S. manufacturing by sourcing products that are made, grown or assembled in the U.S. The 2023 event will take place on October 24 and 25, with applications open until August 18.
Open Call started in 2014, when Walmart opened its doors to more than 500 businesses with dreams of selling their U.S.-made products to Walmart customers. Since then, Open Call has provided more and more opportunities, with over 1,100 small and medium businesses participating last year, making it the biggest one to date.
Today, Open Call is the largest sourcing event for Walmart and Sam's Club. During the course of Walmart's 10-year commitment to U.S. manufacturing, Open Call will have provided over 9,000 opportunities for small and medium businesses to grow with the company.
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 the 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. 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.
“Open Call presents an incredible opportunity for small and medium businesses to grow their businesses,” Jason Fremstad, Walmart senior VP of supplier development, sourcing, wrote in a blog on the company’s web site. “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.”
Walmart also launched its Lead with Local snacks initiative earlier this year, boosting U.S. manufacturing even more. Through this initiative, Walmart sells locally made snacks prominently in stores, connecting customers to products from businesses in their hometowns. Over 130 Walmart stores are participating so far, with more to come.
More than 85% of Walmart shoppers have said it is important for retailers to carry goods made in the U.S. Already, more than two-thirds of Walmart's annual product spend is on goods made, grown or assembled in the U.S. With Open Call, Walmart said it is taking this investment even further.
Entrepreneurs can apply to Open Call here.