Sam's Club® To Host Supplier Diversity Fair On April 25

BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  Sam's Club, the nation's eighth largest retailer, announced today it will host a supplier fair to educate women- and minority- owned companies on the Sam's Club merchandising strategy, engage potential suppliers, strengthen relationships with diverse suppliers and identify product offerings relevant to the members that Sam's Club serves. The supplier diversity fair will be held on April 25th in Bentonville, Ark., at the Sam's Club home offices from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Supplier Diversity program at Sam's Club aims to expand and advance the company's current pool of diverse suppliers through education and mentoring and support through supplier collaboration with diverse businesses.

"Through our Supplier Diversity Program, we can identify and provide business opportunities to the best suited suppliers who are ready to help us achieve three key objectives: to provide our members with products they want, to create jobs, and to improve the way of life in the communities we serve," said Sam's Club Vice President of Merchandise Solutions Brian Graham.

Participating suppliers must be U.S. privately held companies that are 51 percent owned and operated by women, minority individuals, veterans or people with disabilities. Each supplier will need to complete a questionnaire and meet the minimum requirements to determine eligibility to attend.

In 2011, Walmart Stores, Inc. launched its Global Women's Economic Empowerment Initiative to empower women across its supply chain. By the end of 2016, the company will source $20 billion from women-owned businesses in the U.S. and double sourcing from women suppliers internationally. Additionally, the company will work with major professional service firms and merchandise suppliers with over $1 billion in sales to increase women and minority representation on Walmart accounts.

About Sam's Club ® Sam's Club ®, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation's eighth largest retailer and a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million members in clubs across the U.S., as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. Members save an average of 34 percent over traditional retailers. To learn more about Savings Made Simple ®, visit SamsClub.com, and look for Sam's Club on Twitter, Facebook and our mobile and iPad® apps.

SOURCE Sam's Club

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