Walmart Program Strengthens SME Jobs, Supply Chains

Walmart  Mexico and Central America  is strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises through supplier development and training programs aimed at expanding employment and local supply chains. Over the past decade, the company has supported 600 SMEs, which generated MX$1.7 billion (US$95 million) in sales in 2025. Through initiatives such as Adopta una Pyme and the Walmart Growth Summit, participating businesses have increased sales, expanded distribution nationwide and improved operational capabilities.

Walmart Mexico and Central America is expanding its support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of a strategy aimed at strengthening local supply chains, fostering entrepreneurship and generating employment across Mexico. Over the past decade, the company has supported 600 small businesses through its development programs, which collectively generated MX$1.7 billion (US$95 million) in sales in 2025.

The initiative is led primarily through the program Adopta una Pyme, which provides participating companies with training and tools designed to strengthen their business models, improve logistics operations, and professionalize financial structures. According to Walmart executives, the program reflects a broader effort to integrate SMEs into large-scale retail supply chains while promoting economic activity in local communities. “Behind every SME there is a story of effort, innovation and commitment to the country,” said Javier Treviño, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Walmart  Mexico and Central America.

SMEs are a cornerstone of Mexico's economy, comprising 98.7% of all private companies in the country, contributing approximately 52% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and generating 72% of national employment, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). 

To continue supporting Mexican businesses, Walmart recently launched the Pabellón Pyme, a space designed to showcase small and medium-sized enterprises and agricultural producers participating in the company’s business acceleration initiatives, including Adopta una Pyme, Mexico Growth Summit and Pequeño Productor. The pavilion brought together 20 SMEs and three agricultural producers that already sell their products in Walmart stores.

Walmart operates in more than 750 cities across Mexico with over 3,300 stores and clubs that serve more than five million customers daily. Approximately 90% of the products sold in its stores are locally sourced, reflecting the role of domestic suppliers in its retail network.

Training programs are central to Walmart’s strategy to integrate smaller companies into its supply chain. The 11th edition of the Adopta una Pyme program included 55 participating businesses that received 12 months of training focused on improving logistics, strengthening financial structures and professionalizing business operations.

As a result of the program, participating companies increased their sales by 27.5%. Several businesses also expanded their operations from regional markets to national distribution through Walmart’s retail network. In addition, 20% of these companies are now involved in the development of private label products for Walmart and Sam’s Club, which expands their production capacity and creates new commercial opportunities.

Beyond training, Walmart has also developed initiatives to connect entrepreneurs with its broader business ecosystem. Through the Walmart Growth Summit, the company connected 370 companies and entrepreneurs with commercial opportunities within its supply chain.

Today, more than 90% of Walmart’s self-service suppliers in Mexico are SMEs, according to Javier Andrade, Senior Vice President of Purchasing and E-commerce, Walmart  México y Centroamérica.

“That figure reflects a strategic decision. Doing business with SMEs means generating employment, supporting local economies and strengthening programs that extend beyond Walmart. It contributes to the country with a direct impact,” Andrade said.

The company’s strategy also includes initiatives aimed at agricultural producers. Through the Walmart de México Foundation and in partnership with TechnoServe, the retailer has provided training to more than 40,000 agricultural producers since 2009.

One of the program’s objectives is to promote regenerative agriculture practices. Currently, about 73,000 hectares are cultivated using sustainable models, while the initiative reaches 2,611 communities and has generated more than 4,500 new jobs.

Today, the program includes 2,400 farmers from 45 agricultural enterprises who sell their products directly in Walmart stores across Mexico.

For many entrepreneurs, participation in Walmart’s development programs represents an opportunity to formalize and expand their businesses. Companies such as Hecho a Mano and Mega Alimentos have strengthened their operations and increased their market presence through the initiative.

Michel Garduño, Founder, Hecho a Mano, an artisanal cookie company that employs only women, said entering Walmart’s supply chain in 2019 represented a major challenge but also an opportunity to improve the company’s structure. “When we entered Walmart we did not have an established supply chain, and little by little we have strengthened it,” Garduño said.

Similarly, Alfonso Fuentes, Founder, Mega Alimentos, which produces Botanera sauce, said participating in the Adopta una Pyme program helped the company professionalize its relationship with Walmart’s purchasing teams. The initiative also supported the development of commercial strategies, including promotions and market positioning efforts aimed at increasing product visibility and expanding distribution