Walmart is calling entrepreneurs for the opportunity to pitch their products to Walmart buyers.
The world’s largest retailer is launching its eighth annual Open Call, which will enable entrepreneurs to pitch to Walmart buyers on June 30 in virtual meetings. The deadline to participate in the Open Call is April 30.
To qualify for this Open Call, entrepreneurs must have products that are made, grown or assembled in the United States. This is connected to Walmart’s recent announcement of its plan to invest $350 billion over 10 years in products made, grown or assembled in the United States, focusing on textiles, plastics, electrical appliances, food processing, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, and Goods Not For Resale.
“Open Call is like watching the American Dream play out in real time,” Laura Phillips, Walmart senior vice president for Global Sourcing & US Manufacturing, said in a statement. “You see on full display the spirit and energy of new ideas and the hope of what could be – founded on creativity, hard work, and self-belief. It’s inspiring. Walmart’s announcement earlier this month to spend an additional $350 billion on products made, grown or assembled in America makes Open Call even more exciting and important. We know how much this opportunity means to small businesses, and we can’t wait to see the new product submissions from potential new suppliers.”
There will be an hour-long kick-off event preceding the Open Call, in which Walmart executives will speak. There will also be smaller breakout sessions throughout the event, that will focus on other topics and resources available to entrepreneurs.
Participants who are accepted for the Open Call will be notified on May 21.
The opening session of the Open Call will begin at 9 a.m. on June 30 and last until 10 a.m., The supplier seminars and question-and-answer segments will be held from 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The pitch meetings with merchants will be held from 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Click here to apply.
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