**United States:** Walmart unveils Grow with US, a new programme supporting small businesses by offering educational resources, mentorship, financial aid, and a customer discovery platform, aiming to expand American-made products within its stores and strengthen its supplier diversity.
Walmart has initiated a new program aimed at supporting small businesses across the United States, named Grow with US. This initiative aligns with the retailer’s strategy to promote American-made products and aims to enhance the presence of unique offerings in its stores. The program is rooted in Walmart’s U.S. Supplier Inclusion initiative, which focuses on integrating small businesses into its supply chain.
According to Walmart, small businesses are defined as those that meet the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Industry Size Standards, either through voluntary SBA Certification or via Walmart’s internal verification process. The company emphasises the importance of small enterprises in its supply chain, stating, “Small businesses are the founding of our U.S. Supplier Inclusion program,” as noted on the program’s webpage.
The Grow with US programme comprises four crucial components designed to equip small businesses with the necessary tools for success. These include:
- Educational Resources: Offering guidance on how to establish a significant presence in Walmart’s stores.
- Customer Discovery Platform: Providing a venue for small businesses to connect with potential customers.
- Mentorship Opportunities: Facilitating learning from experienced business mentors.
- Financial Support: Access to resources like Walmart’s Early Payment Program and Bridge Marketplace.
Andrea Albright, Executive Vice President of Sourcing at Walmart, highlighted the motivation behind the initiative, stating, “Walmart believes in the power of entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and create jobs, and that’s why we launched our new U.S. Small Business program.” She emphasised that by incorporating smaller businesses into Walmart’s supplier network, the retailer can offer a broader range of high-quality products at competitive prices.
The program not only aims to meet the needs of customers seeking diverse products but also seeks to create an ecosystem conducive to the growth of small businesses. Interested small business owners can apply to join the Grow with US program through Walmart’s designated channels.
The launch of this program represents Walmart’s ongoing commitment to fostering economic development and supporting local entrepreneurship in the United States.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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