Walmart has introduced a new initiative called “Grow with US” to help small American businesses thrive despite the challenges posed by global trade wars and tariffs. This four-step program is aimed at providing resources, training, mentorship, and retail expertise to help small firms expand their reach and get products stocked nationwide. The move is part of Walmart’s broader commitment to supporting American-made products and fostering local entrepreneurship.
What is “Grow with US”?
“Grow with US” is a program that offers small businesses the opportunity to access free resources to help them scale up. This includes free training sessions, mentorship from experienced professionals, and retail know-how to help businesses get their products into stores across the country. Walmart’s CEO and president, John Furner, expressed optimism about the program, predicting that thousands of small businesses will take advantage of these free resources in the coming years.
The program is in line with Walmart’s larger $350 billion pledge made in 2021, where the retail giant promised to invest in American-made products. By the end of the decade, Walmart hopes that this investment will create 750,000 jobs, bolstering the U.S. economy.
Walmart’s Commitment to U.S. Manufacturing
Walmart already sources more than two-thirds of the products sold in its U.S. stores from domestic suppliers. However, with China and Mexico still being significant players in its supply chain, the company is looking to further strengthen its support for American-made goods. The “Grow with US” program aims to expand this commitment by helping small businesses get their products into Walmart stores nationwide.
As part of the initiative, Walmart also promotes its annual “Open Call” event, where small and medium-sized companies can pitch their products directly to the company. This year’s event will take place on October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas, with applications opening on June 24.
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Walmart has run similar initiatives in countries like Mexico and India, where more than 70,000 small businesses have benefited globally. Walmart believes that investing in small businesses leads to a better shopping experience, offering customers more choices while strengthening local communities.
John Furner emphasized that supporting small businesses is a key part of Walmart’s mission, saying, “Investing in small businesses leads to a better shopping experience, more choice for our customers, and stronger communities.”
Challenges: Tariffs and Price Hikes
While Walmart’s “Grow with US” initiative helps small businesses grow, the company has also been vocal about the challenges posed by global trade policies. As tariffs on goods from countries like China and Mexico are expected to increase under President Trump’s trade plans, there are concerns that prices on many everyday products will rise.
Walmart’s executives have already warned that the prices of items such as tea, avocados, sneakers, home furniture, bananas, video games, clothes, toys, and even foreign-made cars are expected to increase due to the tariffs. Even products that are made in the U.S. could see price hikes, as some companies may raise prices and blame it on tariffs.
Billionaire Mark Cuban also expressed concerns, warning that companies might increase prices on U.S.-made products even if they aren’t directly affected by the tariffs. According to Cuban, “Even if it’s made in the USA, they will jack up the price and blame it on tariffs.”
Walmart’s “Grow with US” program is a promising move to support small businesses across the United States by providing free resources and opportunities for expansion. While the program aims to boost the domestic economy, Walmart is also navigating the challenges posed by ongoing trade wars and tariffs, which are likely to affect prices and product availability in the near future. As these changes unfold, small businesses may play a crucial role in helping to mitigate some of the effects on the retail market.