Walmart unveils program to solicit more US-made suppliers 

With proposed and enacted Trump Administration tariffs – especially those targeting China – roiling the retail supply chain, Walmart execs searching for U.S. made goods recently launched a “Grow With Us” program.

While two-thirds of the items Walmart sells are made or grown in the U.S., there is still wide exposure to tariff-related problems for categories like footwear, toys, housewares and electronics. Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner has said the recent tariffs have caused uncertainty, but the retailer’s focus on low prices has not changed.

More than 60% of Walmart’s U.S. suppliers are small businesses, hundreds of which got their start at an Open Call event. Walmart said it will begin accepting applications on June 24 for its annual Open Call event in Bentonville that will take place Oct.7-8.

The new program is designed to provide U.S. small businesses with the training, mentorship, and resources they need to sell products to Walmart. Grow With Us is a voluntary, four-step program that gives small businesses access to the Walmart Supplier Academy, which includes 30 e-learning modules on retail readiness, business fundamentals, advanced learning, and Walmart basics.

The Bentonville-based retailer also is providing more opportunities for small suppliers to get their products in front of consumers. In addition to the annual U.S. Open Call event held in the fall in Bentonville, Walmart has five events slated for May in Orlando (May 1), Kansas City (May 9), Baltimore (May 13) and Austin, Texas, on May 21. In June, events are set for Columbus, Ohio, on June 18 and Atlanta, on June 24.

The events give entrepreneurs the chance to meet with Walmart buyers, get real-time feedback and potentially score a fast track to the main event held in Bentonville, according to Walmart.

The Grow With Us program matches small businesses with mentors to help navigate the retail landscape, and here is a finance feature that eligible small businesses can apply for through Walmart’s Early Payment Program and Bridge loan marketplace portal.

Walmart unveiled the Grow With Us program last week at Milo Tea’s grand opening ceremony for its new manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, S.C., adding manufacturing jobs to that local community. Furner said the new Milo’s facility is a $200 million investment and will create 200 jobs.

Tricia Wallwork, CEO of Milo’s Tea, said her company has grown with Walmart from a single store in Birmingham, Ala., to now being nationwide in 4,700-plus stores. She has grown the business to include four manufacturing and distribution facilities and more than 1,000 jobs.

Milo’s Tea was originally served in the family’s Birmingham restaurant from 1946 and is still operating today.  The company partnered with Walmart about 30 years ago to sell the tea beverage in a few stores. Then, in 2013, when Walmart launched its U.S. Manufacturing Initiative, Milo’s sought an opportunity for expansion.

U.S. small businesses interested in participating in Grow with Us can get started by registering with Walmart as a small business by providing a voluntary SBA certification or requesting small business verification through Walmart.