The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Applauds Walmart as First Corporate Leader to Feature Women Owned Logo Products

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is proud to celebrate Walmart as the first retailer to feature Women Owned Business (WOB) products, making them nationally available in-store, online and identified by a unique, universally recognized Women Owned logo. Developed by WBENC and WEConnect International with support by Walmart, the Women Owned logo signifies to shoppers that a product is made or supplied by a woman-owned business.

"Walmart is bringing Women Owned business products to homes and stores across America – and giving consumers the chance to experience the quality, value and innovation that women's businesses can deliver," said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC, the nation's leader in women's business growth.  "We applaud Walmart's significant leadership role in supporting women-owned businesses by making Women Owned logo products more visible and readily available."

Walmart sells thousands of products from women-owned businesses both in-store and online and this month will place six products on feature with the "Women Owned" logo in store, including Milo's Tea®, Jelmar CLR Remover™, HMS Mfg. Co Hefty® Wastebaskets, Goldbug Inc. Carter's Newborn Shoes, Ariela and Associates Smart & Sexy® Bra, and Ziegenfelder's Budget Saver Pops®. The products will be sold in all Walmart stores nationwide and will have a prominent presence on Walmart.com/WomenOwned, a new page that also launched to showcase products made by women-owned businesses. The online categories range from beauty and clothing, to electronics, health, and home improvement.

"By buying products with the Women Owned label, consumers are choosing to enable Women Owned businesses to grow and the economy to thrive," said Patricia Birmingham, VP Marketing at WBENC.  Women's businesses nationwide generate $1.4 trillion in revenue, employ nearly 7.9 million employees and have been a source of 274,000 jobs since the recession in 2007, according to the American Express OPEN State of Women Owned Businesses 2014.

"Walmart is throwing open the doors of opportunity for our national and international community of Women's Business Enterprises," added Candace Waterman, Chief of Staff, Certification & Program Operations at WBENC. "WBEs can be inspired to take their product to the next level of exposure and volume."

Any product with the Women Owned logo is produced or supplied by a company that is owned and operated by a woman or women, as certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) by WBENC in the United States, and by WEConnect International globally.  There are over 12,000 WBENC-Certified WBEs in the U.S.

The Women Owned logo also taps into the buying potential of women.  "Women make over 80 percent of all consumer buying decisions globally.  WBENC believes that creating awareness of these products can result in sales growth, increased consumer knowledge and loyalty," said Laura Rehbehn, Senior Manager, Marketing, Communications & Brand Management, WBENC.

Walmart Stores, Inc. is being honored this year as one of WBENC's America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises, at the March 18-19 WBENC Summit & Salute to Women's Business Enterprises in Baltimore, Md. There WBENC is convening over 1,500 WBEs, corporations and government agencies to generate business together, acquire business building skills, and learn more about the Women Owned logo opportunities.  womenownedlogo.org 

About WBENC
Founded in 1997, WBENC is the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with over 12,000 WBENC-Certified WBEs. WBENC-Certification is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America's most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and other entities. WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. www.wbenc.org.

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SOURCE Women's Business Enterprise National Council

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