How to Get Your Product in Walmart

Walmart requires exceptional customer service, compliance with their stringent vendor requirements and reliable supply chains as well as competitive pricing for any product that enters their store.

Each year, thousands of companies try to break into Walmart stores and online sales channels; unfortunately only a fraction will succeed due to lack of mass appeal or similarities with existing offerings.

How to get your product in walmart?

Before selling products in Walmart, you must meet its requirements. This includes having a valid supplier number and satisfying their insurance needs. In addition, Walmart requires your products have a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), listed correctly – GTINs are unique identifiers composed of your company prefix, item number and check digit. A tool provided by GS1 helps create and organize GTINs.

Walmart uses a multifactor approach to listing analysis that yields a Listing Quality Score. This score takes into account content and discoverability, offer, ratings and reviews and post-purchase quality – the higher your Listing Quality Score is the more likely it is that your product will be approved.

Step 1: Get an account

Becoming a Walmart vendor can be an incredible opportunity for small businesses. While their requirements must be met in order to become successful vendors, the first step should be registering online; this will give you access to an account showing what the Walmart marketplace looks like as well as information on fulfilling orders and returns.

Once registered, once will need to create and submit a sell sheet and sample product that demonstrate quality for Walmart buyers to review and make decisions on.

Your supply chain and pricing must also be reliable and competitive; Walmart buyers are on the lookout for products that add value for their customers and can meet these criteria, you could potentially see your products appear across US Walmart stores.

Step 2: Create a product listing

Many small businesses dream of getting their products into Walmart – after all, it is a retail giant with millions of customers and potential profits for them to tap. Unfortunately, only some products make it onto its shelves – one reason being they don’t meet Walmart’s requirements.

As buyers can be skeptical of unproven companies or products, buyers expect a track record of sales (they don’t like being treated like test subjects); a comprehensive business plan; reliable supply chain; competitive pricing structure. And finally, they must comply with regulations.

How to Get Your Product in Walmart

There are a number of strategies for getting your product into Walmart. These include applying online, attending trade shows or directly contacting buyers directly; another way is pitching it directly to a store manager in person and receiving an acceptance from that store manager; this method may lead to contracts being signed between store and vendor and establish sales history and advancement of sales positions over time.

Step 3: Create a product description

Though many small business owners aspire to sell their products in Walmart stores, few actually achieve this goal. Due to Walmart’s stringent vendor requirements and stringent standards for qualifying vendors, becoming a Walmart vendor may prove challenging; but with hard work and dedication it is possible.

Start by applying online through Walmart Marketplace website, providing product samples and sell sheets with details on features, benefits, pricing and availability of your product(s). Furthermore, having strong customer service capabilities is paramount as Walmart prioritizes vendors who can respond swiftly to inquiries or complaints from their buyers.

As with other retailers, Walmart buyers typically favor companies offering multiple product lines that provide distinct advantages over competing offerings. Furthermore, Walmart prefers products which are packaged and branded attractively and this will help differentiate their offerings on store shelves.

Step 4: Add photos

Walmart product buyers are always on the lookout for innovative new offerings that provide customer value. Their buyers use various methods, such as online applications, trade shows, direct contact or partnerships with manufacturers to identify suppliers; as well as high quality and cost effective items that meet Walmart’s stringent vendor requirements.

If you’re serious about becoming a Walmart vendor, taking the time to properly prepare your application is essential. This involves researching their buyer requirements, insurance requirements and shipping options before attending one of their open call events in person and showing your product or service off to managers there.

Once your application has been accepted, it’s essential that you keep an eye on your inventory and reorder as necessary. Furthermore, provide exceptional customer service by responding swiftly and professionally to inquiries or complaints; this will build your reputation as a seller and increase the odds that they accept you into their marketplace.

Step 5: Add videos

Product videos provide potential buyers with an easier way to understand your offerings and decide if they will do well on Walmart’s marketplace. You can either add them as part of your product listing using Seller Center, or create one specifically for your online storefront.

Pricing is of great importance when selling on Walmart’s marketplace, as buyers expect competitive rates that match its reputation as an affordable retailer. Unfortunately, new sellers who may not know much about its pricing structure can find this difficult.

Reaching customers and expanding your market reach are among the primary objectives of getting your small business onto Walmart shelves, but many fail in initial negotiations with buyers due to products lacking uniqueness, mass appeal or strong brand recognition. Aiming for differentiation through unique offerings will be essential when dealing with Walmart buyers.

Step 6: Add prices

Becoming a Walmart vendor can be the fulfillment of many small businesses’ dreams. Beyond expanding profits significantly, becoming one can open doors to other retail contracts as well. But before applying, it is vital that they understand all requirements that Walmart sets forth regarding vendors.

Walmart prefers working with sellers who have established their business online through websites or third-party marketplaces – this may include high-quality products, robust inventory and reliable fulfillment. Furthermore, Walmart prefers working with sellers who already have established sales histories online such as websites or third-party marketplaces.

Walmart mandates that vendors provide accurate product pricing details in order to maintain its low-price leadership status. Furthermore, payment terms and returns/refund policies with vendors are discussed along with insurance requirements so their buyers can make informed decisions when selecting potential partnerships.

Step 7: Add shipping information

Providing products of high quality meets Walmart standards. Submit samples of your product to Walmart’s buyers. Additionally, conduct your own market research in order to assess what potential opportunities may exist within the marketplace.

Establish a range of products. This will give you the advantage of lower per-unit costs, helping increase sales. Furthermore, keep in mind that Walmart only showcases the lowest price products in their buy box, so be sure your prices remain competitive.

Once invited to sell on the marketplace, it’s essential that you take steps to establish your shipping information – this includes what type of shipment and fees will be applied – you can find more information in Walmart’s Seller Center.

Step 8: Add a contact person

Walmart can provide small businesses with an opportunity to sell their products, but there are some details they require before selling their goods or services. You must complete an online registration and supplier checklist which requires providing company details like company name, contact info and product details as well as certification of business activity and certification of your products for sale. You should also obtain insurance coverage to protect you from potential claims related to damage or injury caused by products that you sell through Walmart such as product liability coverage that protects from claims that their products caused harm or injury to a consumer.

When pitching to Walmart buyers, be ready to offer them your best price. These experienced buyers understand what the product costs them – they won’t pay any more than your cost plus profit margins. Furthermore, Walmart wants proof that your company can produce large volumes quickly while making returns quickly – that is why many vendors choose a distributor as a channel into Walmart.