Over 58,000 MSMEs uplifted by Walmart Vriddhi through digital training, mentorship & business growth

Walmart Vriddhi, the supplier development program of the retail giant, recently announced that it has exceeded its target of training 50,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across India by December 2024. According to a statement, the program has digitally empowered 58,000 MSMEs providing them cost access to business advice, digital training and personalised mentorship opportunities.

The Walmart Vriddhi program was launched in 2019 with Swasti as the program partner. The program was aimed to equip MSMEs with the know-how and tools they need to succeed in supply chains by combining Walmart’s supplier development experience and Flipkart’s platform expertise.

Currently, over 14,500 MSMEs are onboarded onto Flipkart.

Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President, Supplier Development, Walmart, said in a statement, "Through the Walmart Vriddhi program, we have seen incredible resilience in MSME graduates as they showcase their exceptional innovation and commitment towards making a positive contribution in their communities. We are thrilled to be part of their journey helping them grow, fostering inclusivity, and creating lasting impact."

The program has helped facilitate the growth of more than 10,000 women-led businesses, young entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, eco-friendly product sellers as well as those focused on environmental sustainability in their supply chains (encompassing sourcing, manufacturing, and packaging.

Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group, said in a statement, "The Walmart Vriddhi program has been instrumental in fostering a culture of growth among MSMEs in every facet of their businesses. By helping onboard thousands of MSMEs onto the Flipkart marketplace as sellers, in line with our mission, we are happy to enhance their market reach, help them thrive in the eCommerce space, and contribute to their prosperity and business growth.”

A notable number of MSMEs have indicated their interest in building sustainable products such as toys, handicrafts, reusable sanitary pads, and diapers, among others.

Joseph Julian, Program Director from Swasti, said in a statement, “It's encouraging to see how Walmart Vriddhi graduates have been able to integrate learnings into their business and benefit from the curriculum. Seeing many of them operate their businesses in a way that benefits their communities, and the environment has been gratifying.”