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Do You Want to Sell ON Walmart Shelves or IN Walmart? Here's Your Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s be real for a second.


With all the recent news about Walmart and other companies rolling back their DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, I know some business owners are thinking,


“I would never sell my products in Walmart.”


If that’s you, I want to challenge you to really think about what you’re saying.


DEI is more than just being Black or white — it includes veterans, people with disabilities, women, immigrants, and more. And while it’s okay to have emotions, it’s irresponsible to make emotional business decisions. Walmart is one of the largest retailers in the world. Are you really saying you’d let personal feelings stop you from putting your product on their shelves and creating life-changing income for yourself and your family?


That’s not business — that’s pride.

Before You Say No to Walmart, Read This

I don’t work for Walmart. I don’t get paid by them. And they don’t even know I’m writing this blog. But what I do know is that most people will charge you just to tell you how to do what I’m about to break down for free. And if you do find someone giving you this info on social media, it usually comes with a price.


Everyone wants to get their product in front of more people. But there’s a difference between selling on a shelf and selling in Walmart. And most people don’t even realize how close they are to making it happen.


So if you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I get my product into Walmart?” — this is your step-by-step guide.


We're breaking it all the way down using Walmart’s official supplier programs like Grow with Us, Open Call, and Walmart Marketplace


No fluff. No myths. Just facts.


Let’s go.


Step 1: Register as a Walmart Supplier — And Yes, You’ll Need a DUNS Number


Before you can sell, pitch, or learn anything through Walmart’s programs, your business must be registered in Walmart’s system. That means creating a supplier account and completing a detailed profile. This is where many people get stuck — or misinformed.


Let’s clear it up right now:

✅ You will be asked for a DUNS number.

Ignore the social media gurus saying it’s outdated or unnecessary. While the federal government now uses UEI numbers, private corporations like Walmart still use the DUNS system for one reason: verification.


The DUNS number doesn’t build credit — it verifies your company’s existence, structure, and location. It’s part of Walmart’s backend system to protect themselves and validate legitimate businesses.



Below are a few screenshots of the registration page and the application where it asks you to verify your DUNS number.

This is the initial supplier registration page on Walmart’s vendor portal.
This is the initial supplier registration page on Walmart’s vendor portal.
Here’s where Walmart asks for your DUNS number as part of the business verification process.
Here’s where Walmart asks for your DUNS number as part of the business verification process.

Make sure all your business information is up-to-date and consistent across your EIN, business registration, and D&B profile — this is what gets you verified.


Step 2: Learn the Game — Walmart’s Supplier Academy


Before you pitch anything, Walmart wants you to understand how their system works. Their Supplier Academy is a free training program designed for small businesses. It includes 30 e-learning modules across 4 tracks:


  • Welcome to Walmart 101

  • Retail Ready Capabilities

  • Business Fundamentals

  • Advanced Learning


✅ Sign up and take the course — it shows you’re serious and helps you avoid costly mistakes.



Step 3: Get Discovered — Use Open Call & RangeMe


Walmart gives businesses multiple ways to be seen:


1. U.S. Open Call:


Once a year, entrepreneurs can pitch their shelf-ready U.S.-made products to Walmart & Sam’s Club buyers in Bentonville, Arkansas.


📅 2025 Open Call Dates:

  • Applications open: June 24, 2025

  • Event date: October 7–8, 2025


Can’t wait?


Join a Road to Open Call pop-up event for early feedback and a possible fast-pass to the main event.


🛣️ Road to Open Call 2025:

  • May 1: Orlando, FL

  • May 9: Kansas City, MO

  • May 13: Baltimore, MD

  • May 21: Austin, TX



2. RangeMe:


RangeMe is Walmart’s official product discovery platform. Suppliers create a portfolio so buyers can evaluate products year-round — not just during Open Call.


✅ Set up your free profile:🔗 Register with RangeMe


Step 4: Get Mentorship — Learn from Those Who’ve Done It


If selected for Walmart’s Grow with Us program, you’ll be matched with experienced mentors. These mentors walk you through packaging, pricing, logistics, and navigating the retail world.


You’re not alone. You’ll get real guidance — not just a pat on the back.


Step 5: Get Funded — Tap into Walmart’s Supplier Financing Tools


Walmart offers real financial support through:


  • Early Payment Program – Get paid faster than standard net terms.

  • Bridge Marketplace – Short-term capital access to scale production.


This is a game changer for small businesses that need to grow without taking on bad debt.


Step 6: Sell Online Through Walmart Marketplace


If your product isn’t ready for physical shelves yet, Walmart Marketplace is another powerful option. It lets you sell directly to millions of customers on Walmart.com — but unlike open platforms like Etsy, Walmart’s Marketplace is curated, which means not everyone gets in.


To qualify, here’s what you’ll need — broken down simply:


✅ eCommerce Experience


Walmart wants to know that you’ve sold products online before. This could be through your own website, Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, or other marketplaces. They’re looking for sellers who already understand how online orders, shipping, and customer service work.



✅ GTIN/UPC Product Identifiers


These are standard barcodes used to track and sell products worldwide.


  • GTIN = Global Trade Item Number

  • UPC = Universal Product Code (the barcode you scan at the store)


Each product you list must have one of these so it can be accurately tracked, priced, and sold.


💡 Tip: You can buy authentic UPCs from GS1, the official source.
GS1 is a global, non-profit organization that creates and manages the barcodes (GTINs and UPCs) used by retailers around the world — including Walmart, Amazon, and Target. If your barcodes don’t come from GS1, Walmart may reject your product listings or flag your products as non-compliant.

You must be able to ship, deliver, and handle returns efficiently. You can either:


  • Handle it yourself (from your own warehouse or home)

  • OR use Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) — Walmart stores, packs, and ships your products for you.


Either way, Walmart wants to make sure customers have a smooth experience.




MAC Enterprise is Here to Help


At MAC Enterprise Consulting, we don’t just talk — we teach. Our mission is simple: to take the guesswork out of building a business and give entrepreneurs real tools and real strategies that change their life.


We’re committed to:

  • Educating business owners on proper structure

  • Debunking internet myths with facts

  • Aligning our work with our values: Integrity, Accountability, and Empowerment


If you're ready to take your product from your garage to Walmart shelves — or the Walmart Marketplace — let us help you build the foundation that gets you there.


🚀 Ready to grow your business the right way?


 
 
 

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