Attention Washington Entrepreneurs: Walmart Is Now Accepting Applications for 2019 Open Call for American Products
April 01, 2019
Company invites entrepreneurs to pitch new, niche and innovative products at
If you’ve ever dreamed of potentially reaching thousands of customers with your American products, now is the time to act: Walmart is accepting applications for its 6th annual Open Call, scheduled for June 18 and 19 at the company’s Home Office campus in Bentonville, Arkansas. Apply today by visiting Walmart-jump.com for the opportunity to secure a face-to-face pitch meeting with a Walmart buyer. The application deadline is April 30.
"The impact of participating in Open Call is close to immeasurable. Our U.S.-manufactured, reusable mason jar lids are just about to be on the shelves of the largest seller of mason jars in the world," said Bill Tenneson, Co-Founder of Intelligent Lids in the greater Seattle area. "Spending a couple of days seeing Walmart’s business acumen as well as hospitality, meeting hundreds of other inspiring presenters, and being handed “the golden ticket” is pretty high on the fun scale."
This year’s Open Call attendees could secure deals ranging from a handful of stores in local markets, to supplying hundreds, even thousands of stores, Sam’s Clubs and Walmart.com. The two-day event informs, empowers and encourages attendees while providing effective networking opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“Our customers tell us that products made, sourced or grown in the U.S. are important to them and we work year-round to identify local suppliers and source products that our customers are proud to buy,” said Cindi Marsiglio, Walmart’s vice president of Merchandise Services and U.S. Manufacturing. “Walmart’s Annual Open Call gives us a unique opportunity to meet entrepreneurs from across the country and discover new, niche and innovative products that fill a need for our customers and support jobs right here in America.”
During the 2018 Walmart Open Call, nearly 600 meetings were held with product pitches including toys, apparel, natural health and beauty aids, and food. Prospective suppliers traveled from 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. More than half of the attending businesses self-identified as diverse, including nearly 25 percent identifying as women-owned.
Following last year’s event, a new line-up of products has begun arriving on Walmart shelves and Walmart.com, representing the dreams of dozens of entrepreneurs across the country, including:
In January 2013, Walmart announced its commitment to help boost job creation and U.S. manufacturing through buying an additional $250 billion in products supporting American jobs by 2023. Walmart’s Open Call is one way in which the company continues to invest in this commitment. Last year, Walmart spent $2.89 billion with Washington suppliers, supporting 42,118 local jobs.
Apply for Open Call today and join the conversation on your social channels by using #WalmartOpenCall
About Walmart in Washington
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. In Washington we serve customers at 67 retail units and online through Walmart Online Grocery, http://Walmart.com and our family of brands. We are proud to employ 19,321 associates in Washington. Walmart supports local businesses, spending $2.89 billion with Washington suppliers in FYE19 and supporting 42,118 Washington supplier jobs. Walmart continues to be a leader in employment opportunity, sustainability, and corporate philanthropy. In FY18, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation contributed more than $16 million in cash and in-kind donations to local nonprofits in Washington and our Washington associates volunteered more than16,000 hours with local causes. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting our corporate website and our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels.
If you’ve ever dreamed of potentially reaching thousands of customers with your American products, now is the time to act: Walmart is accepting applications for its 6th annual Open Call, scheduled for June 18 and 19 at the company’s Home Office campus in Bentonville, Arkansas. Apply today by visiting Walmart-jump.com for the opportunity to secure a face-to-face pitch meeting with a Walmart buyer. The application deadline is April 30.
"The impact of participating in Open Call is close to immeasurable. Our U.S.-manufactured, reusable mason jar lids are just about to be on the shelves of the largest seller of mason jars in the world," said Bill Tenneson, Co-Founder of Intelligent Lids in the greater Seattle area. "Spending a couple of days seeing Walmart’s business acumen as well as hospitality, meeting hundreds of other inspiring presenters, and being handed “the golden ticket” is pretty high on the fun scale."
This year’s Open Call attendees could secure deals ranging from a handful of stores in local markets, to supplying hundreds, even thousands of stores, Sam’s Clubs and Walmart.com. The two-day event informs, empowers and encourages attendees while providing effective networking opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“Our customers tell us that products made, sourced or grown in the U.S. are important to them and we work year-round to identify local suppliers and source products that our customers are proud to buy,” said Cindi Marsiglio, Walmart’s vice president of Merchandise Services and U.S. Manufacturing. “Walmart’s Annual Open Call gives us a unique opportunity to meet entrepreneurs from across the country and discover new, niche and innovative products that fill a need for our customers and support jobs right here in America.”
During the 2018 Walmart Open Call, nearly 600 meetings were held with product pitches including toys, apparel, natural health and beauty aids, and food. Prospective suppliers traveled from 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. More than half of the attending businesses self-identified as diverse, including nearly 25 percent identifying as women-owned.
Following last year’s event, a new line-up of products has begun arriving on Walmart shelves and Walmart.com, representing the dreams of dozens of entrepreneurs across the country, including:
- Ahssa Foods LLC, Mesa, Arizona – Low-fat gourmet sauces
- Bodylove Naturals, Rogers, Arkansas – Natural skincare products
- The Cumberland Companies, Knoxville, Tennessee – Fog-free shaving mirror
- Mame’s Burrito Company, Denver, Colorado – Organic breakfast burritos
- The Perfect Granola, Rochester, New York – Naturally sweetened granola bars
- RPM, Savage, Minnesota – Placemats for pet food bowls
- Shoe Crazy, Chesterfield, Virginia – Unique wine blends
- Wings Cosmetics LLC, Andrews, Texas – Winged eyeliner stamp
In January 2013, Walmart announced its commitment to help boost job creation and U.S. manufacturing through buying an additional $250 billion in products supporting American jobs by 2023. Walmart’s Open Call is one way in which the company continues to invest in this commitment. Last year, Walmart spent $2.89 billion with Washington suppliers, supporting 42,118 local jobs.
Apply for Open Call today and join the conversation on your social channels by using #WalmartOpenCall
About Walmart in Washington
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. In Washington we serve customers at 67 retail units and online through Walmart Online Grocery, http://Walmart.com and our family of brands. We are proud to employ 19,321 associates in Washington. Walmart supports local businesses, spending $2.89 billion with Washington suppliers in FYE19 and supporting 42,118 Washington supplier jobs. Walmart continues to be a leader in employment opportunity, sustainability, and corporate philanthropy. In FY18, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation contributed more than $16 million in cash and in-kind donations to local nonprofits in Washington and our Washington associates volunteered more than16,000 hours with local causes. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting our corporate website and our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels.
