In an expanding initiative, Walmart has made its selections for the ninth annual Open Call event, with almost 1,200 small and mid-sized business owners receiving official invitations.
Finalists represent all 50 of the United States and the District of Columbia. About 60% of registrants identify themselves as representing diverse-owned operations. 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 Open Call’s second day. Each supplier gets a 30-minute one-on-one pitch meeting for a chance to secure deals ranging from supplying products to a few local stores or to hundreds of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations as well as Walmart.com and Walmart Marketplace.
For this year’s Open Call, Walmart contacted some registrants of their selection in unconventional ways including a Zoom meeting with Walmart representatives in which they received congratulations on video from celebrity pop artist, Kevin Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. Earlier this year, the company noted, the Jonas Brothers launched their line of premium popcorn called Rob’s Backstage Popcorn exclusively at Walmart. And Walmart notified two business owners that they would be advancing to Open Call via drone delivery.
In addition to one-on-one pitch meetings, Open Call participants will hear directly from Walmart executives and merchants on day one of the two-day event. Smaller breakout sessions will occur throughout the day in which suppliers can learn more about valuable topics and resources available to them.
Open Call is Walmart’s largest sourcing event and support’s the company’s 10-year commitment to American jobs, which includes purchasing $350 billion in products that are made, grown or assembled in the U.S. In a first this year, Walmart extended an early access period for its marketplace sellers to submit applications. More than 4,500 entrepreneurs applied to the Open Call summons sent earlier this year, registering more than 13,000 products.
“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, in announcing the selections. “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.”
