How to Get a Meeting with a Walmart Buyer in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide
Walmart offers unmatched visibility and sales potential looking to grow and expand their reach. If this is you and you’re looking to get your product into Walmart, the first—and most critical—step is getting a meeting with a Walmart buyer. Walmart is always looking for new companies to with items to improve their overall assortment and competitiveness. They look for startups with a new product or innovative brand, brand that are established with a number of smaller retailers and appropriate for a national program and companies who focus on private label programs.
But how do you actually sell to Walmart? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to approach a Walmart buyer, apply for Walmart’s Open Call which is Walmart’s Made in the USA initiative, and how Legacy Retail can help you get your product on Walmart shelves.
Why Getting Into Walmart Is a Game Changer
Walmart is both the United States largest retailer, but also the world’s largest retailer. , withToday Walmart has:
• Over 4,600 stores in the U.S.
• 240 million customers visiting Walmart stores and websites weekly
• Massive distribution and brand exposure opportunities
Securing a Walmart supplier agreement can transform your business—but the process is highly competitive and detail-driven. Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Understand What a Walmart Buyer Looks For
To secure a meeting with a Walmart buyer, you need to understand their decision-making process. Walmart category buyers focus on:
• Sales volume potential
• Profit margins and cost structure
• Supply chain readiness
• Product differentiation
• Compliance with Walmart’s packaging, safety, and logistics standards
Buyers don’t just want a good product—they want a retail-ready solution that aligns with Walmart’s operational requirements and customer expectations.
Step 2: Get Retail-Ready Before Reaching Out
Before you submit your Walmart supplier application or approach a buyer directly, make sure your brand is 100% retail-ready. This includes:
• Proof of sales performance or customer demand
• Competitive landscape analysis
• Shelf-ready packaging and labeling (with barcodes, GTINs, etc.)
• Pricing structure supporting Walmart’s margin goals
• Case pack configurations and logistics documentation
Pro tip: Buyers want data. Be prepared with your numbers, growth story, and operational capabilties in order. If you need some help getting there, Legacy Retail can help you get there.
Step 3: Other Ways to Get a Walmart Buyer Meeting
If you miss the Open Call window, don’t worry—there are other ways to approach Walmart merchants:
• RangeMe Profile Optimization – Walmart actively searches for new vendors on this platform.
• Retail Trade Shows – Identify the relevant trade shows for your categories where the Walmart buyers will be in attendance. Assidiontally Eevents like ECRM can be advantageous if the right buyers attend.
• Retail Broker or Sales Agency – Retail consultats are build around knowledge of the customer, understanding how to prepare your company for the meetings and helping to secure the appropriate meeting.
• Direct Outreach – Tools like LinkedIn and Rangeme are good for reaching out directly to the customer via buyers and buying teams.If done in, a professional, data-driven email or intro can lead to a meeting.
How Legacy Retail Helps You Get in Front of Walmart Buyers
At Legacy Retail, we specialize in helping brands sell to big box retailers like Walmart. From first impressions to full-scale launches, we know what it takes to succeed.
Our Walmart Services Include:
• Retail pitch development
• Walmart supplier compliance and readiness – should we have company/opporutity assessment or something like this?
• Packaging and pricing strategy
• Buyer introductions and sales meetings
• Walmart Open Call coaching
• Retail growth strategy post-launch
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Selling to Walmart is possible—but it takes more than a great product. It takes planning, strategy, and a deep understanding what is important and how Walmart makes decision and operations. Whether you’re preparing for Walmart Open Call, looking to qualify for the Made in the USA program, or simply want to get in front of the right buyer, Legacy Retail is here to guide you.
Ready to pitch your product to Walmart?
Contact Legacy Retail today to book a free consultation and start your journey toward Walmart success.
