Walmart launches ‘Grow with US’ to support small, American-based businesses

A statement released by Walmart on the program said that it is aiming to "help small businesses go big" with American-made products. The retail giant, which has been growing its ecommerce platform as a of late, said that the move is "building on the legacy Sam Walton established over 40 years ago" and looking to expand "support for American-made products through new programs like Grow with US — providing small businesses with new tools and paths for success."

Walmart said that the program will be "making it easier for US-based entrepreneurs to navigate the complexities of retail and bring their products to a national stage." The move was announced the same day ecommerce giant, and competitor Amazon was reportedly moving to install the added costs of tariffs on goods sold on the bulk version of their website, Amazon Haul.

The move also comes as the Trump administration is looking for companies to make more investments in America as trade wars with China and other countries ensue.

Walmart added, "Grow with US is part of Walmart’s expanding commitment to small business development, joining a growing family of programs around the world, including Crece con Walmart in Mexico and Vriddhi in India."

There are four steps to the program at Walmart, which the company said includes learning from the retail chain's " tailored curriculum designed to help small businesses succeed in Walmart’s US stores and online Marketplace."

Businesses can also "showcase their products through Walmart’s product discovery opportunities, including our annual US Open Call, RangeMe product discovery tool or Walmart Marketplace," the press release added.

Some businesses will then have an opportunity for mentorship, where they get "experienced mentors to help navigate the retail landscape." The fourth step in the process for small businesses is that they can apply for financing support to expand through "Walmart’s Early Payment Program and Bridge Marketplace."