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When it comes to ecommerce platforms, it’s hard to overlook the 800-pound gorilla in the online-selling space. I’m talking about Amazon, of course. 

However, as Amazon continues to reward sellers on its own marketplace for bringing off-Amazon traffic back to its own site, it might be a perfect time to branch out and explore other avenues. 

This post takes a look at what’s involved in signing up for Walmart’s all-in-one fulfillment platform, WFS. Fortunately, Walmart Fulfillment Services is very similar to their principal competitors’ Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) that has attracted so many sellers with its simple selling model. 

If you’d like a little help hitting the ground running, the Walmart Specialists at Canopy Management are happy to help you with the process.

Increasingly, entrepreneurs have found that multi-platform selling can be an absolute game-changer for ecommerce sellers. One marketplace that’s been gaining significant traction is Walmart. 

That’s because Walmart.com is not just another ecommerce site; it’s a platform with millions of dedicated shoppers. When you list on Walmart Marketplace, you’re positioning your products right in front of this vast audience. This exposure can be monumental for brand visibility and sales. 

Walmart is also one of the fastest-growing ecommerce platforms. In addition to that, by joining Walmart Marketplace, you have the unique opportunity to reach nearly 120 million unique Walmart.com visitors each month and take advantage of innovative Walmart programs that make selling easier and help you grow your business.

How to Sign Up to Sell On Walmart

One of the standout features of the Walmart Marketplace is the straightforward setup process. In just three steps, you can become a verified seller.

First, you need to submit your business details. After that, you can complete your Seller Profile. The verification process is quick, sometimes taking just a few minutes. 

This is what’s required to get started:

• Business Tax ID(s) (SSN not accepted) or Business License Number
• Supporting documents that verify your business name and address
• History of marketplace or ecommerce success
• Products that have GTIN/UPC GS1 Company Prefix Numbers
• A catalog that complies with Walmart’s Prohibited Products Policy
• Fulfillment through Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) or another B2C U.S. warehouse with returns capability

Next, tell Walmart where to send your payments. Again, there are no hidden fees, no setup, subscription, or monthly fees for selling on Walmart Marketplace. 

Last, configure your shipping methods and costs. Select your preferred returns method and carriers. 

Walmart’s improved catalog uploading feature allows sellers to integrate your existing product catalog effortlessly. Whether you’re migrating from another marketplace or starting from scratch, you can set up your product catalog and shipping details with just a spreadsheet. This simplification means that you spend less time on setup and more on what matters – selling.

Getting Started With Walmart Fulfillment Services 

The best part about getting started selling on Walmart is the very familiar, “Amazon-like” fulfillment platform that duplicates the ease of becoming an online seller that has allowed Amazon to grow so big so fast.

Once you’re on the Marketplace, you gain immediate access to Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) and Walmart Connect, their own version of Amazon pay per click (PPC) advertising. 

These tools are tailored to ensure that your operations run smoothly, from inventory management to advertising.

Simply put, WFS is where your next best-selling products meet Walmart’s world-class supply chain and expert team. Offering an end-to-end fulfillment service, WFS is a bridge between you and potential success on Walmart.com. 

Thanks to Walmart’s expansive supply chain, sellers get an unbeatable combination of scale, quality, cost, and efficiency.

Walmart has even purchased a fleet of cool electric vehicles to manage the troublesome last mile delivery issues that plague ecommerce fulfillment models.

With Walmart Fulfillment Services, sellers can keep their stock at fulfillment centers owned by Walmart. 

The WFS team will pick, pack, and ship your sold products as soon as you place it on Walmart.com. Just like Amazon’s FBA, once they are shipped Walmart handles customer service and returns for orders sent through WFS.

Signing Up for Walmart Fulfillment Services 

1. Sign up for the Walmart Marketplace: Before you can tap into WFS, you need to be a part of the Walmart Marketplace. Once you’re in, you can set up your products and take advantage of Walmart’s fulfillment network.
2. Ship Your Inventory: Send your items to a designated WFS facility.
3. Sit Back and Relax: Item setup is a breeze. Then, once a sale is made, Walmart will store, pick, pack, and ship your orders. Order fulfillment includes a promise of low-cost, 2-day shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. (though, keep in mind this might change during the peak season from September-January).

The Benefits of Walmart Fulfillment Services

• Meet Delivery Expectations: Walmart’s two-day shipping across the U.S. helps meet the expectations of customers increasingly accustomed to ultra-fast shipping. 
• Enhanced Visibility: WFS items are badged with special tags such as ‘Two-Day Delivery’ and ‘Fulfilled by Walmart’. This improves visibility and according to Walmart, increases sales by 50% on average.
• Discounted Shipping Rates: The WFS Preferred Carrier Program offers reduced rates on FedEx small parcel and less-than-truckload (LTL) deliveries.
• Fast Inventory Processing: Walmart says that (outside of peak season) items are “usually” stocked within two days after reaching the WFS warehouses. 
• Inventory Preparation Service: For a small fee, Walmart will prepare and label your fulfilled orders for you. At the moment, the fee is $0.45/unit. 
• Real-time Data Access: WFS dashboards and APIs allow sellers to monitor sales performance, manage inventory, and track shipments. Walmart says that Integration options include Seller Center, direct APIs, or solution providers like ChannelAdvisor and Sellercloud.
• Exceptional Customer Service: WFS associates are available seven days a week. With customer service a potential major time expenditure, that’s a big one. 
• Attract Brand Loyal Customers: Building brand loyalty is a key component of ecommerce growth. The inclusion of WFS items in the Walmart+ free shipping subscription program, can help build both new and repeat customers.

How Does Walmart Fulfillment Services Pricing Work? 

One of the most appealing aspects of Walmart Fulfillment Services is its straightforward and transparent pricing model. Unlike some other fulfillment services, WFS keeps things simple by basing its fees on the weight and dimensions of your products.

When you sign up for WFS, you won’t be hit with any surprising costs like setup fees, subscription charges, or monthly storage fees. This means you can focus on growing your business without worrying about hidden expenses eating into your profits.

The pricing for WFS is all-inclusive, covering essential services such as picking, packing, shipping, handling returns, and customer support. This comprehensive approach allows you to streamline your operations and provide excellent service to your customers without the need for additional investments.

To help you make informed decisions about your fulfillment strategy, Walmart provides detailed pricing information for various aspects of the WFS program:

• Fulfillment fees: These fees cover the costs associated with picking, packing, and shipping your products to customers. The fees are based on the weight and dimensions of your items, with larger and heavier products incurring higher costs.
• Storage fees: WFS storage fees are assessed based on the volume of your inventory stored in Walmart’s fulfillment centers. These fees vary depending on the time of year, with higher rates during peak seasons.
• Optional services: WFS offers additional services like labeling and bagging for a small fee. These services can help you save time and ensure that your products are properly prepared for shipment.

You can quickly estimate fulfillment and storage fees using the WFS Calculator here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there WFS inventory or SKU minimums?

There are no minimums. Walmart recommends that “to see the full potential of WFS, it’s recommended to have at least 50 items with continuous inventory replenishment.”

What is Walmart’s idea of an ideal WFS product?

Walmart is looking for top-selling items, premium brands, and products not currently on Walmart.com. It’s important that they follow Walmart Marketplace guidelines.

How are WFS products packaged?

Standard Walmart-branded packaging.

Does WFS fulfill non-Walmart.com items?

No, only items sold on Walmart.com.

How can I maximize revenue with WFS?

Walmart recommends that sellers “price competitively, maintain high-quality item content, ensure ample inventory, and consider joining the Walmart Sponsored Search program.”

Does Walmart ship internationally?

No, only within the U.S.

How Canopy Management Can Help Make WFS Easier

So, you’ve made it through the guide and you’re now thinking that WFS is probably the best path forward to get even more from your Walmart channel. But if you’re like most brand owners, your time is extremely limited, and you want to make sure you get it right the first time.

If this sounds like you, one of the best paths forward is to outsource the grunt work of setting up Walmart Fulfillment Services to a Walmart specialist at Canopy Management. Our Walmart team has been through this process many times before, and can help you make a seamless transition into getting the most out of WFS. 

To learn more, click here to start the conversation with one of our in-house Walmart specialists.