Walmart Launches 'Get On The Shelf' Contest

Big box stores are going after small businesses. Just days after Target announced their latest design partnership with small businesses, The Shops At Target, Walmart has launched an online contest to discover a new product.

The Get on the Shelf contest allows anyone in the U.S. to submit a video of his or her product, no matter what it is, and allow people to vote on their favorite. The winning product will be sold online at Walmart.com and also be featured in select Walmart stores.

The initiative is headed by @WalmartLabs, the company's e-commerce and social development platform. "We know there are some great undiscovered products that have not yet reached our shelves," Venky Harinarayan, senior VP of global e-commerce and co-head of @WalmartLabs, said in a statement. "We are removing these barriers by giving anyone a chance to launch their product at Walmart and reach millions of shoppers nationwide."

Those looking to participate can submit a video to GetOnTheShelf.com until February 22. Online voting will take place in two rounds in order to determine a grand prize winner.

Comments

[chetanshah71]

12:10 AM on 03/15/2012

Hello

We are competing in 'Get on the shelf' contest held by Walmart with our product 'ShapeCap'...

This contest is a great opportunity for such innovation as ours where we as small guys stand a chance to earn support from Walmart.

The video you see is a home video showing initial prototypes and is edited & voiced by my 13 yr old daughter.

If you see the cause & purpose & benefits of this product, then please do vote for us... and do help spread the word.

Your daily votes only can make this product idea win this contest :-).
An individual may cast 2 votes daily, one vote via each method until Apr 3rd.

To vote by text à text 4588 to 383838…
And to vote online visit http://www.getontheshelf.com/product/4588/Shape-Cap

Shape Cap comes with different shapes @ the orifice, and fits on any regular toothpaste. Paste is dispensed in various shape ribbons that appeal to kids, thus encouraging daily brushing by making that routine a fun.

Shape cap has several benefits: Firstly, it helps dispense the right amount of paste and so, helps comply with the warning on the toothpaste, it eliminates wastage, reduces toothpaste mess, lowers chances of accidental swallowing, sends lesser empty paste into landfills and so, reduces pollution – Helps us Go-Green, and shape cap also makes Toothpaste lasts longer - it Saves Money.
Above all, it’s SAFE.

Thanks
Chetan

[inventor1959]

11:34 PM on 04/09/2012

Hello,My name is Tony.I did'nt here about this contest until just this week....I have been trying to find a partner for my invention/idea.This item would be the best thing since microwave popcorn!!!!!-I have this idea {i need to get a model made up}That would put Walmart over the top for an inovative item....Its driving me nuts,That I've missed out on this.However...Is there any way at all,That I could pitch this idea to a board of directors in marketing with Walmart???I'm very serious about this concept,And I've done a bit of my own markets searches on the product idea I have to see if it exisits anywhere....I cannot find anything like it...Which make me even more exited.However,As it always goes...I do not have the finacial resources to pursue this concept.Its very simple,its very unique,It would be a fantastic asset for a Walmart market....Again,I'm very serious about this concept,I have a trade mark on paper and a rough scetched design of what this is.However....The forst thing in business world,Is you do not share this with just anybody,Unsless they want to jump aboard with a contracted deal.So please get back with me on this,And I would bet we could go to the moon and back with this.Thankyou,[e-mail]-956.230.0695-

[What-If productions]

11:37 AM on 03/12/2012

Walmart Inventors Contest...check it out

Walmart is having an inventors contest...check out the Glow Lampshade kit...if you want to see it come to Walmart check
out the link below and vote for it....

http://www.getontheshelf.com/product/253/G low-LampShade-Kit

[IanaWhite]

11:29 AM on 03/09/2012

I've entered 3 videos and would really appreciate support -

www.getontheshelf.com/product/3051/monoMASTER-Waste-Fishing

www.getontheshelf.com/product/3049/seatMASTER

www.getontheshelf.com/product/3526/Fishn'Clips

[jwpost7]

04:50 PM on 03/07/2012

I'm very excited about this opportunity from Walmart.
Please help me out by voting for my product.
http://hangovergone.com/vote/
thank you

[brysuj]

11:00 AM on 03/07/2012

www.argentusbio.com

[LYNNMWRIGHT]

02:14 PM on 03/06/2012

I hope I get on the shelf at Walmart then every other day i can see my product and maybe even make some money from it yeah! i have just started but so for everyone seems to like it. It is called wrights wrist rest. Please go take a look if it's working for the last couple of days no ones video is working and vote for my product on March the 7th. and thank you very much!.......http://youtu.be/2PPt-APxm6E

[ZooPooShampoo]

08:26 PM on 03/02/2012

Hooray!!! I got my product – ZooPoo Kids Shampoo and Bath Toys – entered. See my video here:

http://getontheshelf.com/product/384/ZooPoo-Kids-Shampoo

Voting starts March 7th. If you like ZooPoo Please give us about (and tell others about it)

Good Luck Everyone and Thanks!

-Adam
www.ZooPoo.com - The World's Most FUN Shampoo!!!!

CHECK OUT my Blog about this Walmart Contest:

http://www.TryingToGetOnTheShelf.blogspot.com

[rjunior56]

02:15 AM on 02/28/2012

We've come up with a great product for this competition. Check it out at www.urthselect.com, and if you like it please vote!

[rjunior56]

02:22 AM on 02/28/2012

I guess I should have explained it before, but Urth Select is the first reusable cleaning system that lets you clean and disinfect every surface in your home without ever having to pick up another bottle...if that sounds cool but doesn't make any sense, check out the video on our web page mentioned before, and we'd love to hear your comments!

[rjunior56]

11:56 AM on 02/29/2012

update!...you can vote for Urth Select™ here: http://www.getontheshelf.com/product/5068/Urth-Select-All-In-One-C

[Paul Lieb]

10:23 AM on 02/02/2012

Please vote for my fishing inventions called the DualFin and BulletBobber. They are floats that move to the left or right and flip direction and color when given a little tug. If you are fishing in a river or stream you can get them to take your lure or bait wherever you want downstream without recasting. If you are fishing in a lake or pond you can reel to go left or right and reach places you can't cast. They can explore and discover new territory that others cannot reach. They really make fishing more exciting by turning your fishing rod into a remote control! www.bulletbobber.com
Please vote for DualFins and BulletBobbers starting March 7.
http://getontheshelf.com/product/1001/BulletBobbers-%2F-DualFins

[Paul Lieb]

09:51 AM on 02/01/2012

I have submitted my fishing invention that makes fishing more fun called the DualFin and BulletBobber. They are fishing floats that kind of work like a stunt kite but sit on the water. It moves to the left or right and flips direction and color when given a little tug by flicking your rod tip. If you are fishing in a river or stream you can get it to go wherever you want downstream without recasting. If you are fishing in a lake or pond you can reel and make it go left or right to reach places you can't cast. They can explore and discover new territory that others cannot reach. www.bulletbobber.com

This the break I have ben looking for.
Please vote for DualFin and BulletBobbers starting March 7

[atexasdem]

05:23 PM on 01/22/2012

As a small business you can't afford to deal with the Wal Marts. #1 you will have to raise massive capital to meet their product demand. #2 When, not if they start cutting your margins you'll still have that debt while your profits decrease. #3 Wal Mart will own you. If they drop your product after all that, your dead. Build your business slowly, minimize your debt and have as many outlets as possible. That way if you lose one or one becomes difficult you have numerous others to fall back on.

[Paul Lieb]

10:37 PM on 02/03/2012

atexasdem, What you are saying to do requires money for marketing and long time! I don't have money for marketing but I am prepared to meet and exceed Walmart's demands. From day one when I started my business based on my invention I wanted it to grow fast. I have mass production in place to handle it and any business needs mass production capabilities if they want to have profit and a chance for growth. Anyone starting a business that has a patent wants it grow fast because every year is one year closer to the end of life for the patent.

[atexasdem]

11:37 PM on 02/03/2012

Your point is very valid and I absolutely understand the appeal of being a mega store vendor. As with anything however there are definite pluses and minuses in committing to a mega store. To many small businesses have made the mistake of committing all their resources to one customer. They have put all their eggs in one basket so to speak. They are now totally dependent on that one customer for the very survival of their company. Wal Mart is a very hard negotiator with their vendors. That's how they keep their prices low. I'm not belittling Wal Mart because being a hard negotiator is a good business practice. Wouldn't it be better though from a vendor standpoint to have twelve small accounts rather than one giant account? Managing growth is one of many keys to success and resisting short term temptations is critical. Wal Mart is a giant successful business and they are very good at what they do. But again, becoming hostage to any one customer, no matter how large and attractive tends to be a terrible business decision.

[JHKH]

08:48 PM on 01/21/2012

First criteria: move production off-shore to China.

[Paul Lieb]

11:05 PM on 02/03/2012

JHKH,

I have 2 products from one patent. I have BulletBobbers made in China. I could not afford tooling in the US. I have better mouse trap but I must compete with existing fishing bobber manufacturers on cost. I also have the DualFin (the big brother of the BulletBobber) that my son and I make but it is labor intensive and I will have a hard time making a deal without fully automating.

Here is the real problem - there is a 10% excise tax on fishing tackle that is paid by the manufacturer. For the BulletBobber I pay my manufacturer / importer the 10% excise tax on cost of product. the BulletBobber has a cost 1/10th the retail price so I only pay 1%. Because I make the DualFin I pay 10% of retail in excise tax. That is a 9% savings for having them made in China. It really kills me how the tax laws are set up to hurt the manufacturer if there products are made in the US.
I believe the big fishing tackle conglomerates lobbied for the tax to keep out the little US manufacturers. The tax was passed a long time ago and should be deleted. Heck, now anyone through the internet can find a fabricator in China or anywhere.

www.bulletbobber.com

[nofriendofrepublicans]

12:05 PM on 01/21/2012

How about a big box of Get the f@ck outta town.

[sam ella]

03:09 AM on 01/21/2012

perhaps a better contest would be "things you don't want to see at walmart". You can start by getting rid of the store itself.

[LYNNMWRIGHT]

02:22 PM on 03/06/2012

that's not very nice where do you shop? apparently at Walmart or you wouldn't be complaining and if they got rid of the shelf there would be nothing there.....So maybe you don't shop at Walmart but I do and find it more reasonable than most stores and it has a variety of products....I'm sorry you feel that way though!

[PaulaPattont]

03:53 PM on 01/20/2012

Make sure your idea is patented, trademarked, copywritten, lifelocked, and scotchguarded. Someone WILL steal your idea, and it's not a matter of if but when. If its not Walmart, it will be some faceless corporation and if its really good trust that they will make sure its Fort Knox protected from you going after them.

[Robert Ganshorn]

10:32 PM on 01/20/2012

Paula, you are so right! They will copy it faster than you can say "Jack Robinson." Wal Mart is not a fair player even to their own employees. How can an entrepreneur expect a fair shake. I sold at wholesale for 30 years in Chicago. Certain companies I represented wanted me to call on Sears, Montgomery Wards, even "Crate & Barrel." I declined and explained my reasoning. I was aware of ten companies put out of business by all the requirements of Sears in the 1970's and at the end of the contract.....poof! The manufacturers had lost their independent markets due to Sears and could not regain it.

[MFS001]

12:42 PM on 01/21/2012

Well said Robert. I've had businesses come to me, asking me if I could help get their product into the mass merchants. With few exceptions, I usually recommend against it. Even if you succeed, avoiding the landmines, you are beholden to these merchants who now have your business -- and life -- in their hands. They will scontinually queeze you for margin and deductions until you are selling a lot for very little, worried constantly that they will pull your product out of the planograms, and the gravy train will end, with the added burden of returns to deal with.

Generally, I recommend avoiding the low-end, commoditized business. Position your product as high-end and maintain your margin (find another product to sell if you are having trouble doing that). When you are competing on price, which is entirely how Wal-Mart operates, the lifespan of your product -- and business -- is limited; terminal.

[MFS001]

12:25 PM on 01/21/2012

And even then you are not necessarily protected. There is the story a while back of Huffy Bicycles. They could not meet the inventory needs of Wal-Mart and had to give up the design of their bicycle to competitors, in order to build what WM needed. And, keep in mind, it's not just about giving your patented or trademarked product to competitors; it's about giving them your sales and profit too.