Its very straightforward to open Wal-mart stores. Here are couple of steps that we follow here at ISV. I have outlined the steps we follow for anyone in general, you can modify them according to your needs.

Step-by-step Procedure

1. You can ask for permission from Wal-mart either on Phone or by going to the store in person.
   1. If you plan to go there in person, it might be faster but before you go in, please call to find out if the Store-Manager is in that day.
   2. If you call by phone, you may have to wait for a long time on the phone but if you plan to get permission for several Wal-marts, its easier to call than to drive to all the places.
2. Its always a good idea to talk to the store manager rather than any assistant or in charge managers unless the store-manager refers you to another person.
   1. Once you call Wal-mart number ask them that you need to talk to the Store Manager. If he/she is not available ask them when can you call back.
   2. If you get to talk to the store manager, write down the name of the Store manager. Its very important to have the name because later you can refer to this name and things will be much easier. Its all about the names.
3. Once you get to talk to the store manager on phone, you can introduce yourself on behalf of a non-profit organization (ISKCON) trying to serve the community by spreading the message of peace and happiness. More information on what to say to the manager is here: http://www.distributebooks.com/faq.html
   1. You would like to request permission to set up a small table outside Wal-mart to distribute literature on Yoga meditation, spreading peace and living in harmony with nature. (you can say what ever you are comfortable.)
   2. Generally they don’t have so much of time on phone so its better to keep it simple.
   3. Some times they ask you more questions about our organization, they ask if we are trying to sell something? You say that we refuse to sell these books but we ask for donations and we take whatever donation one offers. Its better to let that know that we accept donations because if they see us taking money later, they might object.
4. “The Book” : This is the most important thing, Wal-mart maintains a calendar of all the non-profit organizations that are scheduled to set up a table.
   1. Once you talk to the store manager and he/she agrees, either they refer you to the person in charge of maintaining the book or they ask someone to get the book to his/her office.
   2. Who ever they are referring to, write down the name of the person and which department are they belong. Usually the ones who maintains the book are from Personal department.
   3. They ask you which dates you would like to set up the table and if those dates are available, they write down the name of the organization in that slot. You may want to book extra dates if they allow you to.
   4. If you can request them to fax a copy of that calendar to you, then you have a proof that you are there. Sometimes you go on the scheduled date and someone else is also there and then you can show the proof that you were scheduled for that day. (Wal-mart is not that organized so its always good to have some proof because the store manager is not always available or the person who put you down on the book is not available or the book is missing..) If you have the name of the person whom you talked, it helps.
   5. Sometimes, if you book the dates on the phone, they say that they will put you down in the book, but they don’t. If booking on phone, call a day or two later and ask them if you were scheduled for the date that you requested just to confirm.
   6. Some Wal-marts wants you to come down to the store to put us in the book. They don’t book on the phone.
5. All the Wal-marts want you to sign a terms and conditions paper if you are setting up a table for the first time. So they either ask you to sign that before writing your name in the book or they ask you to sign when you actually go there to set up a table. It varies from Wal-mart to Wal-mart.
6. Once they give you permission, they will tell you the rules as they vary for different Wal-marts. General rule is that don’t stop people going in for shopping but stop people who are coming out ONLY.