Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, wrapped up its annual Open Call on June 30, 2022. Over 1,100 businesses across the nation made pitches for their products to be carried on the shelves of Walmart or Sam’s Club. The company reported than more than 330 business pitches have reached deals and more than 280 products were in potential deals. All the products have to be made, grown or assembled in the U.S.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said that investments in U.S. manufacturing was not only the right thing to do for the long-term economic health of the country but was also right for the customers, who had to deal with high inflation.
He also noted that the big box retailer’s investments amounting to $350 billion for goods made or assembled in the nation helped customers to get goods they needed, at their time of need. The products were also available at prices that were affordable. Goods made or assembled in the U.S. created and supported over 750,000 jobs.
This year’s Open Call event had additional events. There were one-to-one pitch meeting of participants with merchants. Participants also “heard directly from Walmart executives and merchants.” There were also small breakout sessions for suppliers. These sessions helped them to know more about resources available as well to learn more about topics that provided value to them.
Walmart says that Open Call is its largest sourcing event. The event helped the giant retailer meet its initial commitment of $250 billion. The retailer offered an exclusive early access period for sellers who were a part of their existing Marketplace. More than 4,500 entrepreneurs had applied to participate in the event. More than 13,000 products had been registered, this year.
The finalists of 2022 from all 50 states, including D.C. were given an opportunity to pitch their products in 30-minutes virtual and in-person meeting at Bentonville, Arkansas, the headquarters of Walmart.
