Walmart Inc. President and CEO Doug McMillon met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week during a two-day visit aimed at reinforcing the global retail giant’s dedication to India’s growth. This marks McMillon’s second visit to the country in just 18 months—a strong signal of Walmart’s deepening engagement with India’s economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
He was accompanied by Walmart International CEO Kath McLay and board member Steuart Walton, as the delegation discussed key areas of collaboration including job creation, MSME empowerment, digital inclusion, skill development, and expanding India’s export footprint.
“There’s a story developing here that’s like a movie,” McMillon told PTI, describing India’s growth as dynamic, broad-based, and filled with long-term opportunity.
📦 Strengthening Walmart’s India Strategy
Walmart’s presence in India spans multiple high-impact businesses:
- Flipkart – India’s leading e-commerce marketplace
- PhonePe – A fintech leader with deep digital reach
- Walmart Global Tech – Driving global innovation from India
- Walmart Sourcing – A vital hub for global procurement
Walmart reaffirmed its ambitious goal to source $10 billion annually from India by 2027, supporting local manufacturers across categories like apparel, food, toys, and electronics. Having already sourced over $30 billion from India in the past two decades, the company is intensifying its efforts to connect with local suppliers and exporters.
🚀 Empowering MSMEs Through Walmart Vriddhi
McMillon also engaged with Indian entrepreneurs trained under Walmart Vriddhi, the company’s flagship supplier development program. The initiative aims to onboard and digitally upskill over 1 lakh MSMEs into Walmart’s supply ecosystem within the next three years.
“We are very proud of what’s happening with small businesses… I’m excited to hear about the work that’s happening with agriculture,” McMillon added, highlighting Walmart’s grassroots engagement.
🕰️ Walmart’s Journey in India
- 2002: Opened first sourcing office in Bengaluru
- 2018: Entered Indian retail with a landmark $16 billion acquisition of Flipkart
- Post-2018: Acquired controlling stake in PhonePe, now an independent entity
- 2021: Flipkart acquired Cleartrip, expanding into travel tech
Walmart’s India investments underscore its commitment to building inclusive, digitally empowered, and globally connected supply chains.
🌏 Looking Ahead
As Walmart deepens its footprint in India, its focus remains clear—partner with local businesses, power digital transformation, and contribute meaningfully to India’s economic growth. With robust government support and a thriving entrepreneurial base, Walmart’s India story is only getting started.
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