The approximately 500 entrepreneurs from across the United States that made the 750 product pitches at Walmart’s corporate office in Bentonville, AK on June 28 as part of the company’s U.S. Manufacturing Open Call included a number of home-oriented potential suppliers. Some of those companies in attendance were Decalomania, which offers augmented reality wall decals, and the Ontario Knife Co., which produces the Old Hickory 5-piece cutlery set.
Items presented at the Open Call ranged beyond the housewares and home décor categories to also include apparel, hardware, toys, health and beauty aids, sporting goods and food.
Doug McMillon, Wal-Mart Stores president and CEO, said, in commenting on the event, “We want to help renew U.S. manufacturing and drive the creation of manufacturing jobs across the United States.”
Cindi Marsiglio, Walmart vp/U.S. manufacturing, noted, “American entrepreneurship is on full display during Open Call. Today has been a fantastic show of innovation, and we are proud to extend an offer and digital shelf space on Walmart.com to today’s participants.”
