Walmart is currently accepting applications for its 7th Annual Open Call, which seeks U.S.-manufactured products that they can sell on Walmart shelves. This year, pitch meetings will be held virtually on October 1st with Walmart buyers. The deadline to apply is August 10th, with additional information and the online application available at Walmart-jump.com.
The Walmart Open Call, scheduled for October 1, kicks off Walmart’s celebration of U.S. Manufacturing Month and will include similar programming to previous years, but delivered exclusively online. In addition to one-on-one pitch meetings with Walmart buyers, participants will have an opportunity to hear directly from Walmart executives and learn from company leaders during smaller breakout sessions designed to inform, empower, and encourage companies that are hopeful of becoming suppliers for Walmart.
The Walmart Open Call is a part of the Walmart Jump program, which is designed to highlight American manufacturers in Walmart stores, thus helping to create jobs and rebuild industries in the United States.
“If we can create great local jobs, we’re going to have better stores and better, stronger communities,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon says on their site. “We want everybody who has anything to do with Walmart – whether they’re a customer or an associate or a supplier of ours – to benefit.”
Michele Morgan, president and owner of GWE, Inc., which makes The MAXBIT, says that the experience of Walmart Open Call was invaluable. She was encouraged to apply by Innovate Mississippi, and it resulted in her being able to sell her product on Walmart.com.
“Follow Walmart’s guidelines closely for preparation; you don’t want to get booted on something you could have prepared for.” Morgan said. “Have a prepared speech, Powerpoint presentation, and a demonstration if it’s applicable—but also be prepared to be flexible if the buyers go a different direction. This happened to me.”
Morgan also said that entrepreneurs who make it to the Open Call should be ready to talk about pricing and to show packaging so the buyers can visualize the project on the shelves. “Pay attention to the details.”
You can watch the opening presentation of last year’s Walmart Open Call here:
