Wal-Mart pushes American-made

The largest retailer in the world wants to diversify its product base through independent entrepreneurs.

Wal-Mart will host its 2016 Open Call June 28, where entrepreneurs can pitch their made-in-the-USA products. The daylong event will be at Wal-Mart's global headquarters in Bentonville, Ark.

“We are opening our doors and making our buyers available to meet with suppliers with one goal in mind: buy more American products,” says Cindi Marsiglio, Wal-Mart's vice president of U.S. sourcing and manufacturing, in a statement. “From food to toys to apparel, and companies large and small from coast to coast, we want to make a deal with you for your U.S. made products.”

The size of each deal can vary significantly. At Open Call last year, Groveland, Mass.-based KettlePizza, a 12-person company, signed a deal to be on the shelves in 500 Wal-Mart stores. Appleton, Wis.-based Myndology Inc., a three-person company, signed a deal for more than 3,000 stores.

The registration deadline for the 2016 Open Call is May 27. Interested entrepreneurs should visit walmart-jump.com.