Walmart awards two local business owners with sales pitches
Two Utah business owners were invited to pitch their products to buyers for Walmart, part of a nationwide program called Open Call.
Ambrosia Collective of Draper and Norse Roots of Logan came to a Salt Lake City store to meet with a store manager. Norse Roots creates a variety of flavored beef tallow kettle chips without the use of seed oils. Ambrosia Collective is a sports nutrition and bio-hacking supplements brand whose signature product is Planta, a plant-based protein powder. The goal was to qualify for an Open Call held at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.
“We’re beyond excited to showcase Ambrosia Planta at Walmart’s Open Call,” said Marc Lobliner, founding partner of Ambrosia Collective, in a Walmart release. “This is a huge opportunity not just for our brand, but for the people who believe in clean, delicious, plant-based nutrition. Getting Planta in front of Walmart’s audience can take our mission to the next level — bringing the best-tasting, highest-quality plant protein to millions more households across America.”
David Hansen, CEO of Norse Roots, added, “Our Norse Roots chips are cooked in beef tallow instead of seed oils, making them a game-changer for snack lovers. Getting the chance to share them with Walmart buyers at Open Call is an incredible opportunity, and we’re beyond excited to show what makes our chips so different. This moment could open the door to reach shoppers across the country and doing so while representing Utah makes it even better.”
Norse Roots and Ambrosia Collective were two of several small businesses across the country that were approached under the program. Hundreds received an e-mail notification of acceptance to Open Call and some traveled to Walmart’s headquarters for one-on-one meetings with Walmart buyers. Some deals will happen on the spot, while others may take more time with follow-ups between buyers and potential suppliers after the event has ended.
“What a thrill it was to be part of this surprise reveal and get familiar with these two Utah businesses,” said Sarah Seamons, a Walmart store manager in Salt Lake City. “Both did a remarkable job pitching their products, and we were impressed by their offerings. Their stunned reactions to being informed that they’ve already been selected to pitch at the home office were priceless.”
Attendees at this year’s Open Call may later secure deals ranging from a handful of local stores, to supplying hundreds or even thousands of stores, Sam’s Club locations and Walmart.com.