Category Archives: News and Updates

Over 32,000 MSMEs have already completed training under the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program

Hyderabad, India, July 25, 2023: Walmart and Flipkart today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Telangana, to create an ecosystem aiding capacity building for MSMEs in the state. The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Telangana, and Joseph Julian KG, Programme Director, Swasti.

The MoU, signed between Swasti and The Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Telangana, has been inked to facilitate the development of local MSMEs towards accessing a wider domestic marketspace, leverage online retail and enable sustained growth and commercialisation.

Under the new partnership, Walmart will extend its support to help MSMEs digitise their businesses and fuel capacity building for the state of Telangana. This will enable MSMEs to be a part of the offline and online domestic supply chains.

In partnership with Swasti, Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi) offers small businesses and entrepreneurs a complete learning platform and provides free training, in-depth expert assistance, and tailored tools and skills required to grow and expand their businesses. To facilitate the expansion and improvement of small and medium enterprises, training seminars and mentoring sessions are conducted regularly. MSMEs are now registering for the programme from tier 2 and tier 3 cities across India, along with key cities including Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Surat, Panipat and Kolkata.

On the signing of the MoU, Dr. Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Telangana, said, “MSMEs from different parts of Telangana are flourishing and bringing recognition to our state. MSMEs form a strong backbone to the country’s economy, and it’s crucial that we help them scale up and equip them with digital tools and technology to promote their business growth. We are happy to collaborate with Walmart Vriddhi to provide guidance and the support required to strengthen MSMEs and achieve greater success through the programme.”

The Walmart Vriddhi program provides a digitally enhanced learning experience through online modules with personalised feedback and one-on-one advisory sessions. Over 32,000 MSMEs have already completed the training.

Commenting on the partnership, Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President, Supplier Development, Walmart, said, “We launched Walmart Vriddhi in 2019 with the intention to equip 50,000 Indian MSMEs with the skills necessary to succeed in business. From streamlining supply chains to implementing data-driven insights, these skills enable them to make informed decisions, identify emerging trends, and seize opportunities for innovation and expansion. Through Vriddhi, we are committed to empowering MSMEs with comprehensive learning opportunities to level the playing field and help ensure that MSMEs can not only survive but also thrive. 32,000 MSMEs to date have embraced the digital route, and it is a testament to the power of equipping them with future-ready skills.”

Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group, “Telangana is an important market for us and home to thousands of MSMEs, some of whom have already benefitted from our expanded pan-India reach. We want to sustain this momentum, support the state’s artisans, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs, and provide them with a thriving ecosystem to flourish and profit. We are happy to be a part of this initiative and extend our help.”

Joseph Julian, Programme Director, Swasti, said, “The development and expansion of MSMEs in the state will be aided by this relationship with the Telangana government. Through the Vriddhi initiative, we are dedicated to helping MSMEs become more resilient for the future and supporting their participation in local and national supply chains.”

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better, anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and on eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.

About Swasti

Swasti, a part of the Catalyst Group, is headquartered in Bengaluru, India and active globally with a footprint in 30 countries, was founded in 2004. Swasti co-designs demonstrable and scalable solution models in partnership with communities on the ground and influences policies nationally and internationally. Over the past 15 years, Swasti has directly reached over 400,000 people through its initiatives, including more than 238,000 factory workers, the majority of whom are women.

• MoU announced during the Walmart Vriddhi Seller Summit, attended by the Honorable Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Narayan Rane
• Walmart and Flipkart have helped digitally transform 20,000+ MSMEs under the Walmart Vriddhi program, and enabled them to expand their domestic and international capabilities

NEW DELHI, India and BENTONVILLE, Ark., December 6, 2022: Walmart and Flipkart today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) to jointly accelerate capacity building for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across India. The partnership is also aimed at supporting MSMEs in their journey towards becoming a part of retail supply chains, locally and globally. The MoU was signed at the Walmart Vriddhi Seller Summit in New Delhi, an event marking the milestone of 20,000 MSMEs having completed their training under the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi), of which, Swasti is a program partner. The event was attended by Shri Narayan Rane, Honorable Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, and Shri Gaurang Dixit, Chairman-Cum-Managing Director, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC).

The partnership with NSIC will enable a greater number of small businesses and entrepreneurs across India to access the Walmart Vriddhi program, which offers a complete learning platform with training provided free of cost, along with access to expert assistance required to grow and expand their businesses. The Walmart Vriddhi program also includes training, seminars and mentoring sessions conducted regularly for MSMEs. Tens of thousands of MSMEs have registered for the program from metros and Tier II and III cities across India, and over 20,000 MSMEs have completed the program successfully. The partnership will enhance access for participating MSMEs to schemes offered by the NSIC while making learning resources of Walmart Vriddhi available to MSMEs registered with the NSIC.

Shri Narayan Rane, the Honorable Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of India, said, “I’m glad to see that Walmart’s Vriddhi program has enabled a large number of Indian MSMEs to expand, boost their production, and experience growth. Walmart has been instrumental in enabling MSMEs with training and capacity building, especially through the pandemic. The Indian MSME sector currently comprises of 6.3 crore MSMEs that employ more than 11 crore people. We look forward to Walmart’s continued support to the growing MSME sector in the country.”

Shri Gaurang Dixit, Chairman-Cum-Managing Director, at NSIC, said, “NSIC is committed to the growth and development of a robust MSME sector in India. We look forward to working with Walmart Vriddhi to help MSMEs under the program get access to our schemes and make the learning resources of Walmart Vriddhi available to MSMEs under NSIC. Through this partnership, MSMEs across the country can get the necessary support required to further expand their businesses nationally and across the globe.”

Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President, Supplier Development, at Walmart, said, “Walmart is deeply proud to announce the graduation of over 20,000 MSMEs from the Walmart Vriddhi program today. We are delighted to play a role in catalyzing the entrepreneurial spirit in India and supporting the growth ambitions of small business owners with this program. With our ongoing commitment to triple exports from India by 2027 to $10 billion annually, we look forward to supporting more small businesses in their efforts by providing potential access to online and offline markets in India and globally.”

Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group, said, “As a homegrown company, we are passionate about the growth of Indian MSMEs and building an enabling and inclusive e-commerce ecosystem.  We are excited and committed to be part of India’s economic growth story by helping millions of local businesses adopt e-commerce via Walmart Vriddhi and Flipkart’s marketplace. Technology and innovation will play a critical role in the growth of small businesses in India. With that mission, our efforts are focused on helping them digitize their business and explore growth opportunities  through e-commerce. We are delighted to continue to deepen our engagement with NSIC through this MoU and expand opportunities to small businesses, artisans, weavers across India.”

Many local homegrown brands have already benefited from training provided by the Walmart Vriddhi program.

• Graamya has started selling on the Flipkart marketplace to reach newer markets for its   Grammya also exports to the US, Switzerland, and the UK and are also focusing on Indian cloud kitchen businesses operating overseas.
• Akhil Marketing expanded and created a separate office space for e-commerce. Today, Akhil Marketing’s online sales contribute to 30%, which they are working to ramp up to 50%.
• Shri Balaji Online Store, which manufactures sofa covers, chenille sofa fabrics, and tissue curtains, found Walmart Vriddhi to be a critical lifeline through the pandemic. eCommerce helped them grow sales from 0% to 45%-50%.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.

About Flipkart Group

Flipkart offers Indian sellers a strong platform to reach domestic customers with end-to-end eCommerce solutions and logistics.The Flipkart Group is one of India’s leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, and Flipkart Wholesale. Started in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of consumers, sellers, merchants, and small businesses to be a part of India’s e-commerce revolution, with a registered customer base of over 300 million, offering over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Our efforts to democratise e-commerce in India, drive access and affordability, delight customers, create lakhs of jobs in the ecosystem and empower generations of entrepreneurs and MSMEs have inspired us to innovate on many industry firsts. The recent launch of Flipkart Wholesale, our new digital marketplace, is a testament to our commitment to accelerate the growth of kiranas and MSMEs in India. Flipkart is known for pioneering services such as Cash on Delivery, No Cost EMI and easy returns – customer-centric innovations that have made online shopping more accessible and affordable for millions of Indians. Together with Myntra, which holds a prominent position in the online fashion market, and now Flipkart Wholesale, the Flipkart Group will continue to steer the transformation of commerce in India through technology.

About Swasti

Swasti, a part of the Catalyst Group, is headquartered in Bengaluru, India and active globally with a footprint in 30 countries, was founded in 2004. Swasti co-designs demonstrable and scalable solution models in partnership with communities on the ground and influences policies nationally and internationally. Over the past 15 years, Swasti has directly reached over 400,000 people through its initiatives, including more than 238,000 factory workers, the majority of whom are women.

MoU signed in the presence of Shri. Jayanta Mallabaruah, Honorable Minister of Public Health Engineering, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship and Tourism Department, Government of Assam, to assist local MSMEs with capacity building and support, enabling them to expand their domestic and international capabilities.

Guwahati, India, August 04, 2022: Walmart and Flipkart today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Industries & Commerce and Public Enterprises Department, Government of Assam and Public Health Engineering, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship and Tourism Department, Government of Assam to form an ecosystem which supports and aids the digitization of local MSMEs in the state. Under this tripartite agreement, MSMEs will benefit from Walmart and Flipkart’s assistance in digitizing their operations and expanding their reach across India. Additionally, they can expand their export potential and join the global supply chain of Walmart.

Through this partnership with Swasti, Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi) offers small businesses and entrepreneurs a complete learning platform and provides expansion opportunities, free training, in-depth expert assistance and the right tools and skills required to grow and expand their business. To facilitate the expansion and improvement of small and medium enterprises, training seminars and mentoring sessions are conducted regularly. MSMEs are now registering for the program from tier 2 and tier 3 cities across India, along with key metros including Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Surat, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

On the signing of the MoU, Honorable Minister of Public Health Engineering, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship and Tourism Department, Government of Assam, Shri Jayanta Mallabaruah said, “MSMEs are the growth engine of our state, and we are determined to help them become successful in India and across the world. The Government of Assam has launched several initiatives to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to grow their business. The Walmart Vriddhi program will help them become competitive not just in the domestic market but also get connected with major export destinations globally. I would like to thank Walmart and Flipkart for the partnership. We look forward to working together to build a robust MSME ecosystem in Assam.”

Walmart Vriddhi was launched in 2019 with the aim to equip 50,000 Indian MSMEs with the business skills required to be successful as Walmart suppliers, Flipkart sellers, and on other domestic and international marketplaces. Thousands of Walmart Vriddhi MSME graduates across multiple states are being trained to expand their domestic capabilities and participate in global supply chains, helping them build sustainable businesses, generate employment and increase exports. Currently, the learning program is conducted digitally with MSMEs receiving personalized feedback and one-on-one advisory sessions.

Talking about this collaboration, Nidhi Munjal, Vice President, Supplier Development – India, Walmart, said, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with the Government of Assam and honored to support their initiatives to expand and create a strong digital ecosystem for MSMEs. Assam is fast emerging as a major investment hub for MSMEs.1 Through the Walmart Vriddhi program, we want to offer MSMEs an opportunity to develop the necessary skills to grow in domestic and international markets. This collaboration will accelerate our efforts to digitize local MSMEs while helping them achieve their highest potential.

Jagjeet Harode, Senior Director & Head – Marketplace, Flipkart, said, “The partnership with the Government of Assam is a continuation of Flipkart and Walmart’s commitment to empower MSMEs, artisans, weavers and women entrepreneurs across every state in India. Through programs such as Walmart Vriddhi and Flipkart Samarth, our aim is to assist them with business expansion on online marketplaces. We look forward to working with MSMEs from Assam, helping them build capacity and take advantage of the rapidly growing digital economy in India.”

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at x.com/walmart.

About Swasti

Swasti, a part of the Catalyst Group, is headquartered in Bengaluru, India and active globally with a footprint in 30 countries, was founded in 2004. Swasti co-designs demonstrable and scalable solution models in partnership with communities on the ground and influences policies nationally and internationally. Over the past 15 years, Swasti has directly reached over 400,000 people through its initiatives, including more than 238,000 factory workers, the majority of whom are women.

N Raghunathan, Cofounder and Mentor, Swasti, said, “The development and expansion of MSMEs in the state will be aided by this relationship with the Assam government. Through the Walmart Vriddhi initiative, we are dedicated to helping MSMEs in becoming more resilient for the future and supporting their participation in regional, national and global supply chains.”

MoU signed in the presence of Honorable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri. Manoj Sinha and Honorable Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel, to assist local MSMEs with capacity building and support, enabling them to expand their domestic and international capabilities.

Srinagar, India, July 15, 2022: Walmart and Flipkart today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (a Government of J&K Undertaking) to create an ecosystem aiding capacity building for MSMEs in the region. Through this partnership, Walmart and Flipkart will enable local MSMEs to digitize their businesses and sell products online across the country. Furthermore, this work provides the opportunity to potentially access Walmart’s global supply chain which will enable them to tap into its global market.

Through Swasti, Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi) provides entrepreneurs and MSMEs with free training, in-depth support, growth opportunities and the right tools to grow and expand their business. Additionally, to facilitate business growth and development of small and medium enterprises, training seminars and mentorship workshops are organized routinely. Currently, MSMEs are enrolling for the program from Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Surat, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Agra, Panipat and other tier 2 and tier 3 cities across India.

At the MoU signing, in the august presence of Honorable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri. Manoj Sinha and Honorable Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel, it was highlighted that Jammu & Kashmir was witnessing increased investment in the MSME sector, with demand for Jammu & Kashmir made goods rapidly growing in India and across the world. This is expected to help provide employment to local youth and establish Jammu & Kashmir as an aspirational investment destination. The MoU with Walmart and Flipkart on programs like Walmart Vriddhi was hailed as a welcome collaboration that will help unlock the region’s true potential, creating an inclusive business environment.

Walmart Vriddhi, which launched in 2019, is designed to equip 50,000 Indian SMEs with the business skills they require to profit from Walmart, Flipkart and other domestic and international marketplaces. Presently, Walmart Vriddhi is training thousands of MSMEs across multiple states and regions to expand their local capabilities, grow and expand their business and become part of global supply chains. With personalized feedback and one-on-one advisory sessions, the online program provides an all-inclusive learning experience.

On this development, Nidhi Munjal, Vice President, Supplier Development – India, Walmart, said, “We are pleased to announce our partnership with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir and support their efforts to grow and build a robust MSME ecosystem. Through our Walmart Vriddhi program, we are eager to provide high-impact training along with equal opportunities for MSMEs to access online and offline markets domestically and internationally. This partnership will be significant for our ongoing efforts to help make local MSMEs competitive and self-reliant.”

Jagjeet Harode, Senior Director & Head – Marketplace, Flipkart, said, “At Flipkart, we continue to make strategic investments in Jammu & Kashmir to further grow and strengthen supply chains. Our projects and programs, such as Reach Project and Flipkart Samarth, are already established well in Jammu & Kashmir. Through these projects and programs, we are committed to expanding the domestic eCommerce marketplace and providing access and support to new sellers, MSMEs, domestic manufacturers, Indian artisans, weavers and handloom workers on our platform.”

N Raghunathan, Cofounder and Mentor, Swasti, said, “This partnership with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir will significantly improve the growth and development of local MSMEs. Through the Walmart Vriddhi program, we are dedicated to helping small businesses accelerate their growth and become more resilient to changing business environments, while enabling them to better participate in national and global supply chains.”

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.

About Swasti

Swasti, a part of the Catalyst Group, is headquartered in Bengaluru, India and active globally with a footprint in 30 countries, was founded in 2004. Swasti co-designs demonstrable and scalable solution models in partnership with communities on the ground and influences policies nationally and internationally. Over the past 15 years, Swasti has directly reached over 400,000 people through its initiatives, including more than 238,000 factory workers, the majority of whom are women.

MOU signed in the presence of Shri Sidharth Nath Singh, Minister of MSME, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, to help MSMEs in the state with capacity building and support, enabling them to expand their domestic and export capabilities

Lucknow, India, January 6, 2022: Walmart and Flipkart today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Export Promotion Bureau, Government of Uttar Pradesh, to create an ecosystem aiding capacity building for MSMEs in the state. Under the partnership, Walmart and Flipkart will help MSMEs digitize their businesses and enable them to sell products across India through online retail. They will also have an opportunity to unlock their export potential and become part of Walmart’s global supply chain.

In collaboration with Swasti, the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi) provides a comprehensive learning platform that includes growth opportunities, free-of-cost training and in-depth expert support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. It also organizes training seminars and mentorship workshops to further enable the growth and development of small and medium businesses. The program pivoted to a digital format in 2020 and Walmart Vriddhi e-institutes have since been launched in Panipat, Haryana and Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and with plans to open many more.

On the signing of the MoU, Shri Sidharth Nath Singh, Minister of MSME, Investment and Export, Textile, Khadi & Gram Udyog, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said, “MSMEs from Uttar Pradesh are being recognized the world over, registering record exports this year. With schemes like Ubharte Sitaare and ODOP, the Government of Uttar Pradesh is at the forefront of developing a vibrant ecosystem for the MSME sector in the state, helping them boost exports and venture into new markets. We are happy to collaborate with Walmart Vriddhi and Flipkart, and shall provide our guidance and support required to strengthen MSMEs to achieve greater success through the program.”

Launched in 2019, Walmart Vriddhi aims to train 50,000 Indian MSMEs with the business skills necessary to succeed as suppliers to Walmart, sellers on Flipkart, and other domestic and global marketplace platforms. Thousands of Walmart Vriddhi MSME graduates across multiple states are being trained to expand their domestic capabilities and participate in global supply chains, helping them build sustainable businesses, generate employment, and increase exports. The program provides a digitally enhanced learning experience through online modules with personalized feedback and one-on-one advisory sessions.

Commenting on the partnership, Nidhi Munjal, Vice President, International Partnership Services, Walmart said, “We look forward to expanding our ongoing partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and supporting their efforts to build a robust MSME ecosystem, by providing opportunities to access online and offline markets in India and globally through local training and support. We are committed to tripling our exports from India to $10 billion annually by 2027, and will keep extending our support to small businesses, enabling them to grow and prosper in India and globally.”

Jagjeet Harode, Senior Director & Head – Marketplace, Flipkart, said, “Flipkart’s partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh on the ODOP scheme has been a huge success, registering 52% quarterly growth since January 2020, across various product categories. Through programs like Walmart Vriddhi and Flipkart Samarth, we are committed to empowering Uttar Pradesh’s MSMEs, artisans and craftsmen and will continue providing them with the ecosystem support they require to grow and benefit through pan-India access for eCommerce marketplace operations.”

N Raghunathan, Cofounder and Mentor, Swasti, said, “This partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh will greatly enhance the growth and development of MSMEs in the state. Through the Walmart Vriddhi program, we are committed to helping local businesses build resilience for the future and facilitating their participation in national and global supply chains.”

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.

Trained MSMEs across India awarded certification in the presence of Shri Sidharth Nath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of MSME, Investment and Export, Textile, Khadi & Gram Udyog, Government of Uttar Pradesh

BENTONVILLE, Ark., and BENGALURU, India, September 29, 2021: Walmart and Flipkart today hosted a virtual Graduation Day event for the first group of graduating micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) under the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program (Walmart Vriddhi). Over 2,500 MSMEs from across India received certificates in the presence of Shri Sidharth Nath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of MSME, Investment and Export, Textile, Khadi & Gram Udyog, Government of Uttar Pradesh, along with Walmart and Flipkart leadership. The occasion recognized MSMEs who have partnered with Walmart and Flipkart to complete the first phase of the Walmart Vriddhi program. Through this training, graduating entrepreneurs have been empowered with modern business management frameworks that can help them modernize and meet their growth ambitions by embracing India’s digital retail revolution.

The first phase is part of Walmart Vriddhi, a comprehensive growth and learning platform comprising training and in-depth expert support.  The different phases in the program give MSMEs access to advanced business tools and strategies, as well as one-on-one expert consultation, to help them unlock their entrepreneurial capacity, modernize their business, and thrive. Graduating entrepreneurs are already experiencing growth, with many expanding their digital capabilities and selling across India through the Flipkart marketplace. The program has also supported MSMEs to grow their peer networks. The Walmart Vriddhi program is delivered by program partner Swasti.

On the occasion, Shri Sidharth Nath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of MSME, Investment and Export, Textile, Khadi & Gram Udyog, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said, “I congratulate all businesses that are augmenting their learning in their quest to embrace new markets and growth despite multiple challenges. I would encourage more MSMEs to take advantage of programs such as Walmart Vriddhi to enhance their business capabilities, become self-reliant and further strengthen India’s position as an export hub. Empowering small businesses to stretch their wings is a key priority for the Government. To promote exports further, we are setting up overseas trade promotion and facilitation centers in all 75 districts of the state of Uttar Pradesh.”

Leigh Hopkins, Executive Vice President, International Strategy, Development and Asia Region, Walmart International, said, “Walmart is proud to announce the graduation of over 2,500 MSMEs of the Walmart Vriddhi program today. We are delighted to be able to support small business owners’ growth ambitions with this program. Walmart has an ongoing commitment of tripling exports from India by 2027 to $10 billion annually, and we look forward to supporting more small businesses in their efforts by providing potential access to online and offline markets in India.”

Many local home-grown brands have already benefited from training from the Walmart Vriddhi program.

• Healthy Fibers has started selling on the Flipkart marketplace to complement its physical channels and reach a national market. It plans to open a network of experience stores pan-India and is ambitious to also reach overseas markets in the future.
• Scraft Products leveraged the skills and contacts it had built through Walmart Vriddhi to create new product lines when the pandemic disrupted its business. It is now working towards achieving at least 25% of its pre-COVID sales from exports.
• Jutex India has joined the Flipkart marketplace and been empowered to better leverage market dynamics and enhance its performance, despite challenging circumstances.
• Plus Creations, which manufactures more sustainable food packing, already sells in India and abroad. It is now using eCommerce to increase its footprint across India, and is exploring new markets.

Walmart and Flipkart expect many more entrepreneurs to graduate from the Walmart Vriddhi program over the next few months. Small businesses are the backbone of India’s economy, and Walmart and Flipkart look forward to partnering with them and providing access to online and offline markets in India.

Adarsh Menon, Senior Vice President and Head, Flipkart Wholesale, said, ” We are truly excited to see the graduating entrepreneurs who are digital-ready and getting ready to be part of India’s continuing economic growth story. We are proud that there are already around 3.75 lakh Indian sellers on the Flipkart marketplace today, a majority of which are MSMEs. Through additional support such as the Flipkart Samarth program, we are also enhancing access to markets for artisans, weavers, and other small businesses. Digital upskilling helps MSMEs boost their businesses, weather industry challenges and strengthen the eCommerce ecosystem.”

As part of continuing efforts to support small businesses, Walmart and Flipkart recently announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Haryana, and the Government of Tamil Nadu respectively through the Walmart Vriddhi program to enhance the growth and development of MSMEs in those states.

Walmart Vriddhi was launched in 2019, to empower 50,000 MSMEs across India, over five years. Walmart Vriddhi e-Institutes have since been launched in Panipat, Agra, and are moving to open much more, to provide a digitally enhanced learning experience with personalized feedback and one-on-one advisory sessions. MSMEs enrolled in the program have benefitted from actionable advice through Walmart Vriddhi Cares, a tailored program to help them navigate the impact of COVID-19 on their workforce and business.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.

About Flipkart Group

Flipkart offers Indian sellers a strong platform to reach domestic customers with end-to-end eCommerce solutions and logistics.

The Flipkart Group is one of India’s leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, and Flipkart Wholesale. Started in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of consumers, sellers, merchants, and small businesses to be a part of India’s eCommerce revolution, with a registered customer base of over 300 million, offering over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Our efforts to democratise eCommerce in India, drive access and affordability, delight customers, create lakhs of jobs in the ecosystem and empower generations of entrepreneurs and MSMEs have inspired us to innovate on many industry firsts. The recent launch of Flipkart Wholesale, our new digital marketplace, is a testament to our commitment to accelerate the growth of kiranas and MSMEs in India. Flipkart is known for pioneering services such as Cash on Delivery, No Cost EMI and easy returns – customer-centric innovations that have made online shopping more accessible and affordable for millions of Indians. Together with Myntra, which holds a prominent position in the online fashion market, and now Flipkart Wholesale, the Flipkart Group will continue to steer the transformation of commerce in India through technology.