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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As vice president of health and wellness and consumables sourcing, Amber Bynum plays a leadership role in Walmart’s commitment to source $350 billion of goods made, grown or assembled in the United States by 2031.
The current initiative, which was launched in 2021, followed up on a similar pledge made in 2013 to spend $250 billion over 10 years on products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. Bynum pointed out that many people do not realize that two-thirds of Walmart’s annual product expenditure is made on domestically sourced goods.
To reach the goal, Walmart has focused on recruiting and nurturing small and emerging businesses that can provide innovative new products. One major way it does this is through its annual Open Call event, where small and emerging businesses come to Bentonville to pitch their products to the retailer’s merchants.
Last September, for the first time, Walmart invited dozens of its merchants from Canada and Mexico to participate, creating a chance for suppliers to export their products to international markets. Representatives from the Department of Commerce were present to counsel and educate suppliers about the exporting process and its requirements.
“When our suppliers grow, we grow,” said Bynum. “Through our relaunched supplier academy, Walmart has programs that support that growth, whether they are just starting out or are retail ready. For new suppliers, the academy offers a world-class supplier development team that provides incredible service to meet their needs.”
Bynum added that Walmart.com is a great starting point for new suppliers. “No matter what your size, you can start selling there, and it is a great jumping-off point to scale your business and get into the stores and clubs,” she said.
