Guide to the Walmart Supplier Application
A dream of many small businesses is to sell their products through Walmart. Unfortunately, for many businesses, the dream is never realized. Many potential vendors do not know about the supplier application process or its requirements. The process allows for their products to be evaluated by Walmart and potentially placed in stores or online. This can turn a tiny small business into a major brand with the backing of Walmart.
Being a Walmart Supplier differs from being a Marketplace retailer even though some of the process appears to be the same. It is important to know the distinction. A Marketplace retailer sells their product through Walmart’s online Marketplace and fulfils orders themselves. Marketplace retailers are responsible for their own products and orders.
A supplier is someone from whom Walmart buys product. Once a purchase order is arranged, Walmart will place merchandise online and in its stores. Vendors are suppliers of products that Walmart will sell. Walmart will be the actual reseller.
Supplier Application Process- 4 Important Steps
Step 1
Submit the Product
A brand will need to submit a product to Walmart for consideration. It is very important for a brand to make sure that they include all necessary information with the submission. All company contact information needs to be submitted. That includes name, physical address, phone number, and e-mail address. The company’s Federal Taxpayer ID number must match the company information that is submitted. In addition, the application may require other details that must be included.
All of the product details need to be included. Details include product dimensions, materials used and purpose of the product. A brand should also include other important product information for Walmart’s consideration in their application. Also, a picture that is less that 512KB also needs to accompany the submission.
A GTIN (14 digit globally unique number)/UPC Number (Universal Product Number) needs to be included as well.
Step 2
Application ID Number
An e-mail will be sent with an application ID once the application has been submitted. It is important for a brand to retain that information. When questions arise, that ID will be referenced.
Step 3
Invitation to the Supplier Questionnaire
If Walmart likes what they see, the next step in the process is submitting a completed supplier questionnaire. This questionnaire contains a great deal of information about the supplier. It is very important to Walmart to fully understand with whom they are doing business. A brand is required to have the following information in order to fill out the form:
- The brand will need to fill in their Federal Tax ID Number again
- The product’s GTIN/UPC will need to be resubmitted
- The Dun & Bradstreet Number; a brand needs to have one issued to them as an identifier
- Resubmit their company information
- The ethnic origin of the company and where the products are manufactured
- Sales and Accounts that the brand has
- All of the contacts for the company and their information
- Company references
After the questionnaire has been filled out, the second portion of step 2 is registering with Walmart’s Dun & Bradstreet portal. Lastly, a company needs to fill out Walmart’s Registration Program and pay the registration fee. Currently the U.S. based Walmart supplier’s fee is $125.00.
Step 4
Review the Supplier Agreement
Once the questionnaire and product submission have been approved, it is time to carefully review the Supplier Agreement. The Supplier Agreement will include purchase order information, payment terms and other conditions the vendor will be required to meet.
After everything has been submitted and approved, the seller will have full access to the Retail Link and its agreement. Retail Link provides brands with tools to manage their inventory with Walmart and run
Congratulations! You are now a qualified Walmart Supplier.
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