Walmart Names Finalists to Pitch at 2022 Open Call Event, Marking the Largest Group Ever Selected
June 08 2022 - 3:22PM
Business Wire
Suppliers with products made, grown or
assembled in the U.S. will meet one-on-one with Walmart merchants
during the June 28-29 event
Walmart has made its selections for the ninth annual Open Call
event. With nearly 1,200 small and mid-sized business owners
receiving official invitations, this year’s registrants mark the
largest group ever selected to participate in the two-day event.
Finalists represent all fifty (50) states, including the District
of Columbia, with nearly sixty percent (60%) of them
self-identifying as a diverse-owned business. The business owners
have the option of pitching their shelf-ready products directly to
Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants either virtually or in person
on the second day of Open Call. Each supplier will be afforded a
30-minute one-on-one pitch meeting for a chance to secure deals
ranging from supplying products to a few local stores to supplying
products to hundreds of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations as well as
Walmart.com and Walmart Marketplace. Open Call is set for June 28
and 29.
This year, Walmart notified some lucky entrepreneurs of their
selection in unconventional and innovative ways. Some unsuspecting
finalists were invited to join a Zoom meeting with Walmart
representatives to receive updates regarding the Open Call
application process. During the meeting, these business owners
received confirmation of their spot at this year’s event and were
also congratulated on video by celebrity pop artist, Kevin Jonas of
the Jonas Brothers. The trio launched their line of premium popcorn
called Rob’s Backstage Popcorn, exclusively at Walmart earlier this
year. In addition to the celebrity surprise, two business owners
were notified they would be advancing to Open Call via drone
delivery.
“The entrepreneurial spirit is contagious, and that energy is a
big part of what makes Open Call so much fun,” said Scott Gutche,
Senior Director, U.S. Manufacturing. “Being able to surprise some
of the business owners who’ll be taking part is the perfect way to
kick off this year’s celebration of the American Dream.”
Open Call is Walmart’s largest sourcing event. The initiative
supports Walmart’s 10-year commitment to American jobs by investing
$350 billion in products that are made, grown, or assembled in the
U.S. For the first time in Open Call history, Walmart extended an
early access period for Marketplace sellers to submit their
applications. More than 4,500 entrepreneurs applied, and over
13,000 products were registered.
In addition to one-on-one pitch meetings with Walmart and Sam’s
Club merchants, participants will have an opportunity to hear
directly from Walmart executives and merchants on day one of the
two-day event. Smaller breakout sessions will be available
throughout the day where suppliers can learn more about valuable
topics and resources available to them.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save
money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in retail stores,
online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately
230 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and
clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With
fiscal year 2022 revenue of $573 billion, Walmart employs
approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues
to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and
employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be
found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at
facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.
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