BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart today said nearly 150 entrepreneurs from 35 states and Puerto Rico gathered here for the company’s 13th annual Open Call, the annual sourcing event for products made, grown or assembled in the United States.
Selected from a pool of several thousand applicants across the U.S., this year’s attendees brought products from categories including home, sporting goods, pets, food, beverage, baby, and personal care, pitching their products directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants.
Fifty-four entrepreneurs received Golden Tickets from Walmart merchants, which gives them an opportunity to sell their products on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves or online at Walmart.com.
“Open Call brings together two things that are important to Walmart: supporting American manufacturing and discovering innovative products our customers will love,” said David Guggina, president and CEO, Walmart U.S.
“Our purpose is to help people save money and live better, and our suppliers play an important role in delivering on that promise," Guggina said. "Open Call is about more than getting a product on our shelves. It’s about creating opportunities for businesses making products right here in the U.S., while bringing more choice and value to the customers we serve.”
An opportunity to learn from Walmart and Sam's Club leaders
When they weren’t pitching, the entrepreneurs attended breakout sessions and stopped by resource booths to learn directly from Walmart and Sam’s Club leaders about what it takes to build, operate and scale a successful business across one of the world’s largest omnichannel retailers, as well as the many channels for growth. Seven supplier mentors also worked with entrepreneurs to help sharpen their pitches and share firsthand lessons from building their own businesses.
“Every entrepreneur’s journey is different, but it all starts with the customer,” said Leah Platz, senior vice president of merchandise excellence, Walmart. “This year, we focused on bringing entrepreneurs to Bentonville who are positioned to take that next step and pairing them with the insights, resources and relationships that can help them move quickly. Whether that next step is launching on Marketplace or expanding into stores, we’re excited to help these businesses build for long-term success.”
The day began with insights from Walmart and Sam’s Club leaders across merchandising, Marketplace, and eCommerce, who shared how their teams think about putting the customer and member at the heart of product selection, the multiple pathways available to reach customers as well as a session focused on operational fundamentals.
Building businesses that can grow with Walmart and Sam's Club
Throughout the day, attendees could meet with supplier mentors, practice their pitches, and learn more about Walmart’s numerous supplier-focused resources from supplier finance to supplier academy along with Walmart’s growth businesses such as Marketplace, Connect and Walmart Business.
Together, the sessions were designed to give entrepreneurs a closer look and practical takeaways to help them build a business that can grow with Walmart and Sam’s Club – whether in store or online.
Open Call builds on a commitment to American-made products that stretches back more than four decades, when Sam Walton launched Walmart’s “Buy American” initiative in 1985.
As of fiscal 2026, more than two-thirds of Walmart’s annual product spend is on goods made, grown or assembled in the United States.
