Walmart expands SME export program and Sam's Club membership in Central America, Mexico

Walmart’s regional initiative “Una Mano para Crecer,” now in its 15th year, is shifting from simply placing small and medium manufacturers on store shelves to helping them become exporters and long‑term strategic partners. Luis Arturo Ramírez, sub‑manager of Corporate Affairs at Walmart, said the goal is to turn these firms into “regenerative” businesses that can compete beyond their home markets.

In the second quarter of 2026, Walmart de México y Centroamérica (Walmex) reported that its Sam’s Club format posted the strongest performance among all formats, driven by double‑digit growth in new members, higher renewal rates and a migration toward the higher‑value Plus membership, even as overall consumer spending remained weak in Mexico.