Walmart WMT today announced bold
commitments to increase domestic sourcing of the products it sells and help
veterans find jobs when they come off active duty. Speaking at the National
Retail Federation's annual BIG Show, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon
also announced the company is helping part-time associates who want to be full
time, make that transition.
"We want all of our associates to find the career opportunities they want with
Walmart," said Simon. "We will make sure part-time associates have full
visibility into full-time job openings in their stores and nearby stores, and
that they always have first shot at those jobs. We will also bring more
transparency to our scheduling system so part-time workers can choose more
hours for themselves."
U.S. Manufacturing
On domestic sourcing, Walmart and Sam's Club will buy an additional $50
billion in U.S. products over the next 10 years. The company will grow U.S.
manufacturing on two fronts: by increasing what it already buys here – in
categories like sporting goods, apparel basics, storage products, games, and
paper products, and by helping to onshore U.S. production in high potential
areas like textiles, furniture and higher-end appliances.
"At the heart of our national political conversation today is one issue:
creating jobs to grow the economy," said Simon. "We are meeting with our
suppliers on domestic manufacturing and are making a strong commitment to move
this forward."
A popular misconception about Walmart is where the majority of the products on
its shelves are sourced. According to data from its suppliers, items that are
made here, sourced here, or grown here account for about two-thirds of what
the company spends to buy products at Walmart U.S. The company sees room to do
more.
To help achieve this commitment, Walmart has created a senior team within the
company to lead this effort and it will sign longer term purchase agreements
to give suppliers more certainty.
"We can do so much more by working in partnership – as an industry and with
governments," said Simon. "I've talked with a number of governors, including
the incoming chair of the National Governors Association, Oklahoma Governor
Mary Fallin, about how governors and retailers and manufacturers can drive
this issue together. Governors from both sides of the aisle are enthusiastic
about getting their constituents back to work."
This summer, Walmart will help convene a manufacturing summit for stakeholders
to work together and help accelerate these changes.
Veterans
Beginning Memorial Day, Walmart will offer a job to any honorably discharged
veteran in his or her first 12 months off active duty. Most of these jobs will
be in Walmart stores and clubs, and some will be in distribution centers and
the Home Office.
"Hiring a veteran can be one of the best business decisions you make," said
Simon. "Veterans have a record of performance under pressure. They're quick
learners and team players. They are leaders with discipline, training, and a
passion for service. There is a seriousness and sense of purpose that the
military instills, and we need it today more than ever."
Walmart's pledge is not the end of this effort; it's the beginning. The
company projects it will hire more than 100,000 veterans during the next five
years.
"We believe Walmart is already the largest private employer of veterans in the
country, and we want to hire more," added Simon. "I can think of no better
group to lead in revitalizing our economy than those who have served in
uniform. Through their service, veterans give us a land of freedom. When they
return, it must be to a land of possibility."
Walmart has spoken with the White House about this commitment. The First
Lady's team immediately expressed an interest in working with Walmart and with
the entire business community to join forces to build upon this commitment. In
the next several weeks, the White House will convene the Department of
Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and major American employers to
encourage businesses to make significant commitments to train and employ
America's returning heroes.
"This is exactly the kind of act we hoped would be possible when we started
Joining Forces - a concrete example of our nation's love and support that our
troops, veterans, and their families can feel in their lives every day," said
First Lady Michelle Obama. "As our wars come to an end and our troops continue
to come home, it's more important than ever that all of us - not just
government, but our businesses and nonprofits as well - do our part to serve
those who have served us so bravely. So today, my challenge is simple: for
every business in America to follow Walmart's lead by finding innovative
solutions that both make sense for their workplaces and make a difference for
our veterans and their families. Given what we've seen from Walmart and so
many other companies over the past two years, we know that they will."
Simon also called on the retail industry to work together to provide greater
career opportunities for veterans.
"Imagine what retail could do together," said Simon. "We could leave an
incredible legacy as an industry. We can be the ones who step up for our
heroes. And we can do this now."
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