Walmart Plans to Onboard 1 Lakh MSMEs Over the Next Three Years Through Vriddhi Programme

Walmart, the US-based retail giant, has announced plans to connect an additional 1 lakh MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in India to its Walmart Vriddhi supplier development programme over the next three years. The move is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its supplier base and source more products from India for its global operations.

The announcement was made by Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President of Supplier Development – Sourcing at Walmart International, during an event on Thursday.

Walmart Partners With Ideas to Impact Foundation

For the next phase of the Vriddhi programme, Walmart has partnered with the Ideas to Impact Foundation (i2i). This collaboration aims to help MSMEs gain better access to both national and global markets.

By leveraging Walmart’s global supply chain strength and Flipkart’s e-commerce capabilities, the partnership is expected to empower small businesses to expand their reach and grow sustainably.

“We are very excited to announce our partnership with Ideas to Impact Foundation to empower an additional 1,00,000 MSMEs over the next three years,” said Jason Fremstad.

Supporting Walmart’s Global Sourcing Targets

This initiative will also contribute to Walmart’s goal of sourcing goods worth $10 billion per year from India by 2027. The company aims to amplify its sourcing of Indian products for global markets, including categories like toys, apparel, pharmaceuticals, food, and health and wellness products.

Over the last 20 years, Walmart has sourced goods worth more than $30 billion from India. The new phase of Vriddhi will further enhance Walmart’s India sourcing portfolio by onboarding more suppliers and expanding the product categories.

Empowering MSMEs With Skills and Market Access

Through Walmart Vriddhi, Indian MSMEs gain access to crucial business development tools, including:

• Training in digital commerce

• Personalized mentorship

• Strategic partnerships

• Market linkages with Walmart and Flipkart platforms

The programme is designed to provide small businesses with the necessary skills and knowledge to scale up sustainably and contribute to India’s economic growth.

“We are deepening our support for MSMEs by expanding their market linkages both nationally and internationally through the Flipkart and Walmart marketplaces,” Fremstad added.

Walmart Vriddhi’s Achievements So Far

Launched in 2019, the Walmart Vriddhi programme has already enabled over 70,000 MSMEs across India to access training, mentorship, and market connections. The success of Vriddhi in India has inspired Walmart to replicate similar supplier development initiatives in other countries, including:

• Crece con Walmart in Mexico

• Grow with US in the United States

New Tools to Boost MSME Growth

In this new phase, Walmart, Flipkart, and i2i will introduce additional learning tools to support small businesses in:

• Visual branding and growth

• Sustainability practices

• Export readiness

The programme will also foster new partnerships that connect MSMEs with ecosystem enablers, ensuring they not only have the knowledge but also the networks and opportunities required for growth.

Flipkart’s Complementary Efforts: The Samarth Initiative

Flipkart, Walmart’s e-commerce arm in India, is also playing a significant role in supporting small businesses.

Rajneesh Kumar, Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Flipkart Group, highlighted the company’s Samarth initiative, which is focused on empowering:

• Indian artisans

• Weavers

• Micro-enterprises

Through Samarth, Flipkart provides these groups with a platform to showcase their products to a larger customer base. The Flipkart app now even features a dedicated landing page for customers to easily explore products crafted by local artisans and weavers.

“Through collaborations like Walmart Vriddhi, we are collectively enabling entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and contribute significantly to India’s digital economy,” Kumar noted.

Walmart’s Longstanding Commitment to India

Having operated in India for over 25 years, Walmart has consistently expanded its sourcing basket to include a variety of products ranging from shoes, bicycles, toys, and consumables to health and wellness products.

With the enhanced Vriddhi programme and stronger partnerships, Walmart aims to build a more resilient and inclusive supply chain, supporting India’s economic development while meeting its global sourcing goals.