Walmart considering more Ukrainian goods for its stores
Walmart, the world's largest retail chain, already carries Ukrainian-made products and is interested in expanding the range of goods from Ukrainian manufacturers, former U.S. Congressman and Capital Hills President James Charles Slattery told Interfax-Ukraine.
"The Walmart management is very impressed with the quality of products made in Ukraine. Your goods are of world-class quality, so we must take an aggressive approach to bringing Ukrainian products to the U.S. market," he said during a meeting with Ukrainian manufacturers.
In the United States, the interests of Ukrainian companies are represented by Slattery Strategy, which has an exclusive contract with Walmart for such cooperation, while Capital Hills represents them in Ukraine.
According to Michael Zhovner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Capital Hills, the first brand that caught Walmart's attention was Woodandhearts, which produces Montessori-style wooden toys. Initially presented on the marketplace, the toys are now also sold in Walmart stores. Another toy brand has since joined, and work continues to bring in a frozen food producer.
The focus, Zhovner said, is on unique, competitive products that could be strategically important for Walmart. For example, it was Walmart's representatives who expanded the product line for a Ukrainian company that had originally only proposed ice cream.
Oleh Malinevskyi, Vice President of Capital Hills and Managing Partner at EQUITY Law Firm, explained that the company provides full legal and logistical support at all stages, from consulting to contract signing and cooperation during the supply process.
"For example, Walmart sometimes uses its own logistics network from certain ports or pays upon receipt of goods, rather than after sales," he said.
"The most complex part is securing the contract and establishing a relationship with Walmart. There will be a fixed fee, to be discussed in each specific case," Malinevskyi added.
According to Slattery, the 100% tariff increase on Chinese imports has given Ukrainian producers a new competitive advantage.
"This is a great opportunity for Ukrainian manufacturers to export to the huge U.S. market. Not only Walmart is looking for high-quality alternatives to Chinese goods. We also see interest from Costco, Target, and Home Depot," he said.
Walmart Inc. is an American corporation that operates the world's largest retail and wholesale network under the Walmart brand. The chain includes more than 10,750 stores and clubs in 19 countries, serving around 270 million customers each week. In 2024, Walmart reported $648.1 billion in revenue and $15.51 billion in net profit.
Capital Hills LLC was founded in 2023. Its ultimate beneficiaries are James Charles Slattery, Michael Jacob Zhovner, Oleh Malinevskyi, and Natalia Piatyhina, each holding 25%.