How does the Walmart Open Call item submission process work?
Walmart is using RangeMe for the online application process and to review product submissions for Open Call, Walmart’s annual sourcing event for U.S. suppliers and manufacturers. You can learn more about Open Call here.
Please submit a maximum of one product per product category (Baby, Cosmetics, Snacks, etc.) to be considered by the Walmart sourcing team. Additional items within a given category should be included as variants in the submission or can be referenced at the merchant meeting if invited.
If your submission is selected on RangeMe, you will be notified by May 23rd and invited to present your products to Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants on June 28th and 29th. Submitting is a commitment to attend virtual Open Call meetings, if selected.
What is Open Call?
Open Call is our largest sourcing event for Walmart and Sam’s Club. Open Call is an exciting and unique opportunity for selected American entrepreneurs to pitch their product to a Walmart and/or Sam's Club merchant and potentially get their product in the hands of millions of our customers. Products must be made, grown or assembled in the U.S. to be considered for the event. Learn more about FTC standards regarding U.S. origin claims here.
These product pitches are 30-minute one-on-one meetings to secure deals ranging from a handful of local stores to supplying hundreds of stores and Sam’s Clubs as well as Walmart.com and Walmart Marketplace.
In addition to the pitch meetings, the one-day program includes a series of breakout sessions designed to inform, empower and encourage business owners of all sizes. Many of the sessions are open to the general public virtually, making the program accessible to more businesses and convenient for them to participate regardless of location.
What is RangeMe?
RangeMe is the leading online platform that streamlines product discovery, sampling, and sourcing between suppliers and retailers. Walmart has partnered with this web platform – RangeMe for gathering all item pitches for Open Call. Subject to space availability, only items submitted on RangeMe during the application period will be considered.
Why does Walmart have an Open Call event?
We believe that supporting American products and American jobs makes sense for our customers, our communities, and our company. We are leading the way through our commitment to invest an additional $350 billion in products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. Our Open Call event underscores that commitment and helps us make a difference on an issue that matters to our customers. You can visit https://engage.walmart-jump.com/ to find more details and highlights from the 2021 event.
What are the key dates I should know?
March 14th: Submissions open
April 8th: Deadline to submit. Depending on the number of responses, the application process may close early so do not delay with application submission.
May 23rd: Suppliers are notified regarding their Open Call submission status
June 20th: If submission is approved, suppliers are notified of meeting time and location
June 28th and 29th: Open Call event days
I am new to RangeMe, who will have access to the information I submit?
Information submitted to Walmart on RangeMe is exclusive to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants during Open Call. After Open Call closes, your products will be discoverable by additional retailers unless you choose to remove your products.
RangeMe will contact you prior to July 30th 2022 about being discoverable by additional retailers.
How do I know if Walmart received my submission?
You can confirm your submission to Walmart by clicking here, or selecting the Submissions tab at the top of your profile and selecting "my submissions" to view any submissions that have been made. Completed submissions will show a “view submission” button.
If selected, suppliers must be available to attend the Open Call event in person or virtually on June 28th and 29th.
Note: Approved suppliers will be notified on May 23rd on whether they will have an in-person or virtual meeting.
My product is approved now what?
Once your product is approved and submitted by the RangeMe team, your product will be published and visible to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants. Please note the RangeMe team approves products to be published on the platform only. Having your product approved does NOT mean you have been selected for Open Call.
If selected, suppliers must be available to attend the Open Call event in person or virtually on June 28th and 29th.
Note: Approved suppliers will be notified on May 23rd on whether they will have an in-person or virtual meeting.
What if I want to submit more than one product per category?
If you submit more than one product in the same category, the second submission in that category will not be reviewed -- so post your top product per category.
RangeMe will direct your product submissions to the appropriate Walmart and/or Sam’s Club category manager, so be sure to label your products with the appropriate categories during the submission process. Shop your local Walmart store or Sam’s Club if you are unsure what category is most appropriate.
What products will Walmart NOT be accepting for Open Call?
The following products will NOT be accepted at Open Call: Print books, eBooks, audiobooks, or magazines; music or movie recordings; products with CBD or other ingredients not approved by the FDA. Find more here.
Who is Sam’s Club?
Sam’s Club is owned and operated by Walmart Inc. and named after Walmart founder Sam Walton is a membership warehouse club with almost 600 locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Suppliers submitted to Walmart Open Call will have the opportunity to submit to only Walmart, only Sam’s Club or both Walmart and Sam’s Club depending on their capabilities.
Can I submit multiple brands?
Yes! You are encouraged to submit products from all your brands. Please submit one product per product category (Baby, Cosmetics, Snacks, etc.) per brand to be considered by the Walmart sourcing team. Additional items within a given category should be included as variants in the submission or can be referenced at the merchant meeting, if invited.
If I am selected to Walmart’s 2022 Open Call, can I present more than one product?
Yes! If invited to Open Call 2022, you will have the opportunity to present all of your products within the same category to the category merchant.
Where can I find the answers to questions not covered in this FAQ?
Our friendly RangeMe support team is happy to assist. Simply email your questions to our Walmart Open Call team at opencall2022@rangeme.com.
I attended a previous open call – can I apply again?
Yes, we encourage repeat attendees for categories you have not pitched to previously, and only with merchants you have not met in the last 12 months.
Now that I have received the email invitation to attend meetings, how do I confirm my participation for Open Call?
Click on this registration link (active on May 23rd) or in the email sent on May 23rd. In an effort to allow for the most productive meeting and create a safe and healthy environment, there will be a limit of one attendee for both in-person and virtual meetings. Once you confirm your ability to meet Walmart’s business requirements, you will click submit.
Who do I contact if I have a question about the status of my application, attendees or the overall Open Call process?
Support for all RangeMe application, product submission and RSVP-related questions is available at opencall2022@rangeme.com.
General Open Call questions for Walmart can be submitted at USAJobs@walmart.com.
Do I have to attend the meetings if my products are selected?
Applying is a commitment to attend Open Call meetings whether in person or virtual on June 28th and 29th if selected.
Note: Approved suppliers will be notified on May 23rd on whether they will have an in-person or virtual meeting.
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