Janice R. Andrews
The goal of Walmart Vriddhi, the supplier development effort, was to empower over 50,000 MSMEs in five years, but it has already exceeded that goal. The program, which was introduced in December 2019, offers free digital tools, mentoring, and training to help firms in India expand, grow, and integrate into local supply chains. This important milestone was reached far earlier than expected.
Walmart Vriddhi uses Flipkart’s platform experience to provide local suppliers with access to training, mentorship, and business guidance in partnership with Swasti. With the help of the program’s digital training, which covers essential business management topics like finance, marketing, workforce management, and environmental sustainability, entrepreneurs will be better equipped to build profitable and sustainable business models and create jobs in their communities.
Senior Vice President of Supplier Development at Walmart, Jason Fremstad, highlighted the company’s commitment to promoting equitable economic growth and applauded the more than 50,000 graduates of Walmart Vriddhi for their commitment to the program. He cited the program’s strong curriculum, efficient delivery, and beneficial relationships as the main causes of its explosive expansion.
Walmart Vriddhi, which is available all throughout India, has been essential in tying up MSMEs in important locations like Moradabad, Agra, Panipat, Bhopal, Surat, Guwahati, and Tirupur. Partnerships with the corresponding state governments enable national consumer outreach.
The Indian Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Shri Narayan Rane, praised programs like Walmart Vriddhi for helping MSMEs expand and undergo digital transformation. He congratulated the Walmart and Flipkart teams for opening up markets to more than 50,000 Vriddhi graduates.
Walmart Vriddhi is a component of the company’s larger efforts to assist India in developing its supply chain, which are in line with the nation’s goal of becoming a major player in international trade. Walmart is holding its first Growth Summit in New Delhi from February 13–15, and the company has pledged to source $10 billion worth of goods from India annually by 2027. By arranging pitch presentations between Indian suppliers and Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants, the summit seeks to further Walmart’s $10 billion export target.
