A business meet to engage with suppliers and exporters across India was organised by Walmart India in collaboration with The Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO). The focus was to provide an opportunity for an interaction between Walmart India’s buying team and the exporters to explore potential and possibility of business collaboration, including being suppliers under Walmart India’s private label programnme. The event was aimed at beginning potential partnerships with exporters/SMEs primarily across the general merchandise category, which includes houseware, tableware, apparel, home textiles, footwear, luggage and bags, stationery, home décor and home appliances.
The forum provided an excellent opportunity for a mutually beneficial interaction. Attended by around 50 exporters/SMEs including women owned businesses in the general merchandise category, the platform saw participation from exporters looking to expand their footprint in the domestic and international market to achieve economies of scale. For Walmart the initiative offered a business opening to expand its reach and cater to its members across India with merchandise that are locally made.
Flagging off the event, Ashwani Sharma, Chief Merchandising Officer, Walmart India said, “At Walmart, we provide our business members – kirana shops, resellers, hotels, restaurants, offices and institutions – with high quality domestic and international products at low prices so that their business prospers. In fact, almost 95 percent of our products are sourced locally within India. Even as we have established a strong supplier base and an efficient supply chain, we continuously scout for opportunities to source from new domestic suppliers with innovative and high quality product offerings.”
Sunil Agnihotri, Jt. Deputy Director General, FIEO, said that while suppliers have been providing Walmart with the right assortment of products, the company has taken the lead to work in partnership with suppliers across all categories. “Walmart’s initiatives have helped suppliers to make them compliant, build their brands, enhance distribution channel and also introduce them further to Walmart Global Sourcing norms,” he said adding that Walmart has been providing suppliers with a platform to launch their new products through its Best Price stores in India.
Must Read
