Walmart Contest Puts Product on Shelves
Walmart is opening its shelves to aspiring manufacturers, designers and inventors.
The retail giant has kicked off a contest, dubbed Get on the Shelf, in which contestants can submit their products for a chance to be sold on Walmart’s website (www.walmart.com) or in stores.
Created by Walmart division @WalmartLabs, the contest is described as similar to reality show “American Idol.” Contestants are asked to create and submit a video featuring their product or invention, and the public will vote for the winners.
The product can be in any category carried by Walmart—including apparel, toys, electronics and housewares—although specific products already carried by the retail giant are ineligible. Items submitted so far include a hot sauce, a cube game, a hair accessory, an iPad pillow and pet products, according to the retailer.
The public will winnow down the entries to the top three, which will be sold online. The grand-prize winner will see his or her product sold at Walmart stores across the United States.
Submissions can be made through Feb. 22, and voting will be held in March and April. The top three entries and grand-prize winner will be announced at the end of April.
The contest is limited to U.S. participants only. Complete rules, requirements and voting instructions can be found at www.getontheshelf.com.
San Bruno, Calif.–based @WalmartLabs created platforms, products and businesses focused on social and mobile commerce for Walmart. For more information, visit www.walmartlabs.com.—Alison A. Nieder
