Are you the owner of a small or medium-size business in California who’s looking to expand? Do you know someone who is?
Walmart is accepting applications for its 11th annual Open Call event, where entrepreneurs can pitch their products to be sold on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves, or on Walmart.com and SamsClub.com.
Applications are open until Monday, July 15. If a business is selected, its owners will be invited to the event in Bentonville, Arkansas, where they will pitch their products alongside other business owners from all 50 states.
Last year, Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants heard over 1,000 pitches from more than 700 businesses at Open Call, according to a news release.
Entrepreneurs who secure a “golden ticket” — a deal for Walmart to sell their products in stores or online — will reach millions of new customers with their American-made products, according to the release.
“More than 86% of Walmart shoppers have said it is important for retailers to carry goods made in the U.S.,” the release said.
Walmart in California hosted a Road to Open Call event recently at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. During the event, some entrepreneurs received “fast passes,” granting them direct invitations to the Open Call to pitch their products.
Among the chosen suppliers from California were Cactus Foods and Synear Foods.
Cactus Foods is a female- and minority-owned business that sells chips made from the nopal cactus. Synear Foods sells frozen dumplings from a facility in Chatsworth.
To apply for the event, visit www.rangeme.com/walmartopencall2024.