Walmart introduces "Grow with US" initiative for small enterprises

Let's Break It Down: Walmart's Grow with US Program

Walmart introduces "Grow with US" initiative for small enterprises

In a positive stride for US small businesses, Walmart rolls out Grow with US, an initiative that offers collaboration, training, mentorship, and essential resources to help these businesses thrive alongside the retail giant, as stated in a recent press release.

Here's what's on the table for participating businesses:

Mentorship: Access to seasoned professionals who provide guidance on becoming Walmart suppliers and scaling their operations.
Supplier Academy: Participants gain access to Walmart’s Supplier Academy, complete with 30 e-learning modules tailored to help small businesses understand Walmart’s retail requirements and better position their products for success within Walmart’s complex supply chain.
Financial Support: Walmart offers financial assistance via its Early Payment Program, which boosts cash flow by speeding up payments, and Bridge Marketplace, a platform designed for small suppliers with payment solutions.
Product Discovery Opportunities: Small businesses can leverage product discovery platforms and events like Walmart’s annual Open Call, RangeMe, and Walmart Marketplace to showcase their products to Walmart and Sam's Club merchants.

Walmart kicks off the application process for its annual Open Call event in June, offering small and mid-sized businesses a chance to pitch their products directly to Walmart and Sam's Club merchants in October.

Committed to supporting American-made products and small businesses, over 60% of Walmart’s U.S. suppliers are small businesses, and over two-thirds of Walmart U.S.’s product spend goes toward items made, grown, or assembled in the United States. Walmart’s Grow with US program is part of its larger investment to stimulate domestic manufacturing and generate job creation, with plans to splurge an additional $350 billion by 2030 on American-made goods.

Small businesses, often the backbone of our communities, are crucial for long-term growth and success when partnering with powerhouses like Walmart. However, recent developments such as President Donald Trump’s trade war have small businesses scrambling to adapt. Unlike Walmart, these businesses lack the negotiation power with suppliers and may struggle with increased wholesale and manufacturing costs.

While some executives attempt to persuade President Trump to rethink his trade policies, small businesses have taken a more assertive approach. Recent reports suggest that a group of small businesses has teamed up to challenge President Trump’s tariffs in the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Walmart debuted a program called Grow with US, aimed at fostering collaboration and providing resources for US small businesses to prosper alongside the retail giant.
The initiative offers mentorship with seasoned professionals, access to the Supplier Academy, financial support, and product discovery opportunities to small businesses.
Mentors guide participants on becoming Walmart suppliers and scaling their operations, while the Supplier Academy provides e-learning modules tailored to meet Walmart's retail requirements.
Walmart's financial support includes the Early Payment Program and Bridge Marketplace, which aid cash flow and offer solutions for small suppliers.
Product discovery platforms like Walmart’s annual Open Call, RangeMe, and Walmart Marketplace are available for small businesses to exhibit their products to Walmart and Sam's Club merchants.
Despite the challenges posed by recent trade wars, which have left small businesses grappling with increased costs, some are taking legal action to challenge the tariffs in the U.S. Court of International Trade.