Walmart's Gasoline for Small Biz
Launch of "Grow with US" initiative aimed at supporting and nurturing small businesses within Walmart's corporate ecosystem
Step aside, gas stations! Walmart is here to fuel American small businesses with their brand-new Grow with US program, offering training, mentorship, and a range of resources to help these tiny titans grow collaboratively with the retail giant, Declaring this at a recent press conference.
This potent program will provide participating businesses with access to powerful mentors, Walmart's own Supplier Academy curriculum, and financial aid through the Early Payment Program and Bridge Marketplace. On top of that, small businesses will get a prime chance to pitch their wares at product discovery events like the U.S. Open Call, RangeMe, and Walmart Marketplace.
However, you'll have to wait until June to prepare your applications for the annual Open Call event in October, Walmart announced. Here, small and mid-sized businesses can strut their stuff to Walmart and Sam's Club merchants, maybe landing their products on store shelves or online platforms.
In addition to this, Walmart is hosting a series of pop-up events in May, allowing businesses to meet with Walmart buyers, receive valuable feedback, and potentially score a golden ticket to the Open Call.
Such offerings are part of Walmart's broader objective to cater to small businesses, which, at 60%, make up more than half of its American suppliers. Prior to the Open Call in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart is inviting businesses for a series of pop-up events in May, where merchants can gather with Walmart buyers, receive feedback, and perhaps win an invitation to the October Open Call.
Walmart's Grow with US program represents only one facet of their global small business development efforts. In Mexico, they're running the Crece con Walmart initiative, while Indian businesses benefit from the Vriddhi program.
John Furner, Walmart U.S.'s president and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about supporting these businesses, stating, "Small businesses are the spinal cord of our communities, brimming with tales of perseverance and success with Walmart. We can't wait to carry on championing these businesses with every stride they take."
Small businesses face mounting pressure amid President Donald Trump's looming trade war, being unable to negotiate with suppliers or withstand price increases in wholesale and manufacturing. While some bigwigs have sought to persuade the president to backtrack, small businesses have opted for a different approach: courting the courts.
Last month, several small businesses joined forces to challenge Trump's tariffs in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
- Walmart's new program, Grow with US, aims to help small businesses grow collaboratively, offering training, mentorship, and resources.
- The program provides access to powerful mentors, Walmart's Supplier Academy curriculum, and financial aid through the Early Payment Program and Bridge Marketplace.
- Small businesses will also have the opportunity to pitch their products at product discovery events such as the U.S. Open Call, RangeMe, and Walmart Marketplace.
- Applications for the annual Open Call event in October will open in June, and Walmart is hosting a series of pop-up events in May for businesses to meet with buyers and receive feedback.
- Walmart's global small business development efforts include programs like Crece con Walmart in Mexico and the Vriddhi program in India.
- Small businesses are facing mounting pressure amid President Trump's trade war, and last month several small businesses joined forces to challenge Trump's tariffs in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
