Walmart has begun accepting applications for its 11th annual Open Call, inviting small business owners and entrepreneurs who’d like an opportunity to pitch their products.
The goal – putting a product on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves or the stores’ websites, Walmart.com and SamsClub.com.
Applications are open until July 15.
Open Call, the company said in a news release, is central to Walmart’s $350 billion commitment to bolster U.S. manufacturing by sourcing shelf-ready products made, grown or assembled in the U.S.
Open Call will be held on Sept. 24-25, ahead of Manufacturing Month in October.
Since its launch in 2014, Open Call has provided thousands of small and medium-sized businesses with the chance to become Walmart suppliers and reach millions of new customers.
Last year, Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants heard over 1,000 pitches from more than 700 businesses from all 50 states.
Walmart hosted a Road to Open Call event at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. During this event, select suppliers received “fast passes,” granting them direct invitations to Bentonville, Ark. to pitch their products.
Among the chosen suppliers from California were Cactus Foods in Los Angeles and Synear Foods in Chatsworth.
Walmart has 309 stores in California, employing 102,137 associates. Walmart also supports 343,848 supplier jobs, spending $32.4 billion with California suppliers in the 2024 fiscal year alone.
Entrepreneurs who secure a “golden ticket” — a deal for Walmart to sell their products in stores or online — can gain access to a vast customer base, enabling significant growth.
All Open Call entrepreneurs will participate in mentoring sessions with Walmart leaders and hear from special guests. Additionally, each entrepreneur will have a one-on-one pitch meeting with Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants.
