By Stephen Smoot
With President Donald Trump engaging in an economic reset to rejuvenate American manufacturing through using tariffs, increasing focus across the nation has centered on both building and buying American.
Historically the company has emphasized selling American-made goods since founder Sam Walton implemented it as store policy in 1985. Today, approximately 60 percent of goods sold at Wal Mart stores come from American manufacturing and production.
Earlier this month, Wal Mart sent representatives to the grand opening of a $200 million Milo’s Tea Company production facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The company has expanded its business considerably in selling sweet tea and lemonade since partnering with Wal Mart.
Tricia Wallwork, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Milo’s Tea Company, shared at the ribbon cutting that “the long standing partnership . . . providing opportunities for Milo’s Tea Company” helped it to “grow from a local brand to a national leader.”
Wal Mart explained that the company “grew from a family recipe to a nationwide brand” and that their success “is proof that bold ideas can scale big and bring jobs with them.” The company’s support for Milo’s comes from “our $350B commitment to products made, grown, or assembled here at home.”
Grow With US, an entirely voluntary program for current or aspiring Wal Mart small business suppliers, has four stages. It starts at the “learn” stage where small business can access the company’s “Supplier Academy” that has 30 learning modules to take entrepreneurs and established owners on four different learning tracks.
The next step, getting discovered, comes through three different opportunities provided by Wal Mart through Open Call sessions, the RangeMe platform, or Marketplace.
Open Call events take place every year. Dru Glaze, a spokesman for Wal Mart explained that it “offers U.S.-based businesses the chance to pitch products directly to Wal Mart and Sam’s Club merchants.” It “has provided thousands of opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to pitch their products. Our 12th Annual Open Call will take place in October at Bentonville, Arkansas.”
“Pop-up” Open Calls also take place in selected areas across the country throughout the year. The next one that is relatively close to this area will occur on June 18 in Columbus, Ohio.
Registration for Open Call starts on June 24. Those with “a shelf-ready product that is made, grown, or assembled in the US” may apply to be a part of the Open Call.
Wal Mart then offers mentorship from more experienced retail suppliers to the company, as well as financing and/or capital assistance through the Early Payment Program and Bridge Marketplace to those who qualify.
Glaze said that “having worked with many (small businesses) over the years, we know it can be intimidating for some to understand how to get started with us.”
He added that “through the Grow With US program, we’re proud to provide these free resources to help a small business start selling with us, whether that be in our stores, online, or with Marketplace.”
Marketplace serves as an online selling platform allowing sellers to list and sell products on the Walmart.com website. Sellers have access to a wide range of tools provided by the company, such as advertising, inventory management, and fulfillment services.
Businesses do not have to pay fees to access Marketplace.
Advantages accrue to both sides of the equation. As Glaze explains, Wal Mart also benefits. He shared that the company has “seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in our communities.”
“We anticipate that thousands will take advantage of these free resources in the coming years,” he added.
According to the Wal Mart website, “suppliers that have attained U. S. Small Business Certification or its equivalency to industry size standards via an internal verification process are eligible to participate in our U. S. Small Business Program.” Those with questions about how to meet this threshold can obtain help by calling the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office in Charleston.
