I’ve been eyeing Walmart Marketplace as a potential expansion channel. I know it’s blown up since it launched, but I’m trying to get a real sense of where it’s at right now.
From what I’ve seen in old threads and random sources:
The good:
Lower competition than Amazon in many categories
Potentially better margins due to less aggressive price wars
WFS (Walmart Fulfillment) has matured significantly
Customers trust the Walmart brand
The bad:
Overall traffic is still much smaller than Amazon
Ad data reportedly lags (24-48 hours behind)
Return policy is very customer-friendly (costly for sellers)
Account suspension risks are real if metrics slip
Analytics tools are still behind Amazon
Also, some sellers report that Walmart’s ad algorithm is getting better, but it’s still not as intuitive as Amazon’s Sponsored Products
But most of these takes are from old threads. I’d love to hear from folks who are actually selling on Walmart right now:
Is competition noticeably increasing, or is there still room?
Has WFS improved profitability, or just added another fee?
What's the single biggest problem you face on Walmart today?
Would you recommend a new seller start with Walmart now?
I’m not here for promo fluff – just honest, real-world vibes from actual sellers.
Thanks a ton in advance.
Answers (6)
Also, the "account suspension" fear is real. Keep your ODR under 2% and VTR above 99% religiously. They don't give warnings like Amazon – they just suspend.
One more thing: WFS is almost mandatory now. FBM still works in a few niches, but without the 2-day badge, you're leaving a lot on the table.
That said, Walmart still has gaps. The key is finding micro-niches that Amazon sellers haven't noticed yet. Don't just copy your Amazon catalog.
Also, the "lower competition" advantage is shrinking fast. If you're thinking about getting in, don't wait too long.