Supercenters and super sellers: Unmatched omnichannel experiences
The combination of Walmart’s digital and physical channels is a force multiplier for Walmart Marketplace. No other marketplace can offer Walmart’s broad customer reach, physical proximity and seamless integration of digital and physical convenience.
Earlier this year, Walmart connected Marketplace tire sellers with its Auto Care Centers at 2,300 Walmart Supercenters. Customers can now order eligible tires from sellers online and have them shipped to a local Supercenter for easy installation. Additionally, more than 4,600 Walmart stores nationwide accept Marketplace returns.
Walmart previewed Walmart LocalFinds to further bridge the gap between online and offline shopping with direct pickup and delivery from sellers’ physical stores. It introduces a new way for customers to discover sellers’ merchandise in their vicinities. Paired with Walmart’s last mile delivery network, Walmart LocalFinds will enable speedy deliveries and connect shoppers with local businesses through Walmart’s digital channels. It launches this fall in Atlanta and Dallas, with other cities to follow. 1-800-Flowers.com Inc., a leading provider of online floral and gifts, is the first nationwide seller to participate. It will offer hundreds of local stores the opportunity to join Walmart LocalFinds as it rolls out to their towns.
Unboxing new fulfillment solutions
Walmart continues to leverage its next-generation supply chain and advanced technology to simplify and streamline fulfillment for sellers at some of the lowest rates in the industry. Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is announcing new ways for sellers to quickly move merchandise across markets and use Walmart to fulfill any eCommerce retail order.
- Multichannel Logistics: Walmart’s new Multichannel Solutions program allows sellers to use WFS to fulfill orders from any eCommerce site via Walmart’s supply chain. Walmart will fulfill orders and manage returns while offering plain, unbranded packaging, fast, reliable shipping and competitive rates averaging 15% lower than the competition1. Walmart is launching the program on Sept. 10, in time for Holiday deliveries.
- Cross Border Fulfillment: Through its new Walmart Cross Border import service for full-container-load shipments, WFS can now handle transportation of inbound goods from ports of origin in Asia directly to WFS facilities across the U.S.
Walmart is also opening its carrier network to sellers for full truckload shipments. Sellers using the Walmart Preferred Carrier program through WFS can now choose to ship a few items or an entire truckload at special rates through carriers vetted by Walmart.
Heading into Holiday with new seller solutions
Walmart is enabling several solutions and perks for sellers to support their Holiday readiness. Last year, Walmart Marketplace achieved its two biggest sales days ever during the Holiday selling season as millions of customers shopped Walmart.com. The investments and hundreds of enhancements shaped by listening to sellers include:
- A reimagined Global Seller Center and new app provide seamless onboarding for eligible sellers in any market, so they can cross borders and go global by selling in the U.S, Mexico, Chile and Canada. Sellers attending Let’s Grow! 2024 will be the first to access the new cross-listing capability and free translations.
- Walmart is waiving peak season storage fees for sellers who inbound their inventory to WFS fulfillment centers through Sept. 30. Sellers are encouraged to send their inventory as early as possible to meet customer demand for Holiday deal shopping and Walmart events2.
- To help sellers scale their Holiday business, Walmart Marketplace Capital is expanding to offer qualified sellers access to cash advances. This can be up to $5 million for any qualifying seller.
- Walmart is now rolling out a new Deals Dashboard that makes it easy for sellers to enroll items in Walmart’s popular deals events. The feature also provides sellers more data and insights to improve the quality of offers and make more deals available to customers during Holiday.
“Sellers are looking for a smart path for growth,” said Manish Joneja, senior vice president, Walmart Marketplace and Walmart Fulfillment Services. “We’re bringing all the pieces together to be much more than a marketplace and investing in new ways for sellers to serve customers as we grow together.”
1 Fulfillment cost per item, on average. Walmart first-party data, January 2024-June 2024.
2 Conditions apply. Sellers must inbound their inventory to WFS fulfillment centers by Sept 30. Peak season is 10/1 – 12/31 and storage fees are $1.50 above regular pricing for units stored more than 30 days. Storage costs will be automatically adjusted for the duration of the promotion.