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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — More than 1,100 businesses from across the country pitched their products made, grown or assembled in the United States to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants at Walmart’s ninth annual Open Call on June 30.
Preliminary results indicate that more than 330 of those pitches resulted in a deal for businesses to sell their items to Walmart customers through placement on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves, online at Walmart.com or on Walmart’s Marketplace, the company announced.
Additionally, business owners of more than 280 products are continuing conversations with merchants for potential deals in the future, the company said.
“Investing in U.S. manufacturing is not only the right thing to do for the country’s long-term economic health, it’s the right thing to do for customers today who are dealing with historic inflation,” said Doug McMillon, Walmart’s president and chief executive officer. “We’re excited that more and more great products at strong price points are being produced in the U.S. Our $350 billion investment in items made, grown or assembled in the U.S. helps deliver our customers the goods they need, when they need them, at affordable prices, while supporting the creation of more than 750,000 jobs.”
Walmart in 2013 pledged to spend $250 billion over 10 years on products made, grown or assembled in the U.S., a target that the company said has been hit.
Last year, Walmart committed to invest an additional $350 billion on products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. by 2031.
In addition to one-on-one pitch meetings with Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants, participants in this year’s Open Call heard directly from Walmart executives and merchants. Breakout sessions were available for suppliers to learn more about valuable topics and resources available to them.
“We’ve met so many amazing small-business owners through Open Call over the years, and this year is no exception,” said Scott Gutche, senior director, U.S. manufacturing. “From Catrina’s Kitchen Southern Seasoned Flour to EZ-gro’s Spicy Salad Mix, Microgreen Growing Kit, we’re so excited about the new products and people that will be joining the Walmart supplier family.”
Open Call is Walmart’s largest sourcing event and has been key to helping the company achieve its initial $250 billion commitment. Nearly 60% of all business owners invited to Open Call self-identify as a diverse-owned businesses.
All businesses that took part in Open Call are eligible to sell their shelf-stable products on Walmart’s online platforms.
