What is Walmart Fulfillment Services?
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is a comprehensive fulfillment solution offered to Walmart Marketplace sellers, comparable to Amazon's FBA program. With WFS, third-party sellers can store inventory in Walmart's state-of-the-art fulfillment centers, allowing Walmart to handle the entire order fulfillment process—from picking and packing to shipping orders placed on Walmart.com. Additionally, Walmart manages all customer support and returns for WFS-fulfilled orders.
As Walmart states: "The program allows sellers to focus more on increasing their sales while having confidence in the speed and quality of their orders."
Many eCommerce businesses struggle with the operational challenges and expenses of managing order fulfillment independently. By leveraging WFS, sellers can offload these logistics headaches and concentrate on scaling their business and driving revenue growth.
Key Benefits of Walmart Fulfillment Services
WFS offers numerous advantages that can significantly enhance your eCommerce operations:
- Complete order fulfillment – Including professional packing, shipping, rapid delivery, and hassle-free returns
- Transparent pricing structure with no hidden fees
- Comprehensive dashboards for real-time tracking of inventory, orders, and shipments
- Enhanced search visibility with built-in optimization tools
- Dedicated support from call center specialists available to address any concerns
- Detailed product listings designed to maximize conversions
Getting started with WFS is remarkably straightforward. Once approved as a Marketplace seller, simply send your inventory to a Walmart fulfillment center, and their expert team handles everything else—allowing you to focus on growing your business.
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Why Sell on Walmart Marketplace?
Walmart.com has established itself as a premier shopping destination, backed by global brand recognition and an extensive product catalog. According to ComScore data, the platform attracts over 120 million unique monthly visitors, providing sellers with unparalleled exposure.
The advantages of selling on Walmart Marketplace extend beyond just reach. Sellers gain access to a massive customer base and opportunities to acquire new buyers in a less saturated environment than other marketplaces.
It's important to note that Walmart Marketplace is a curated platform with high standards. Sellers must offer quality products at competitive prices while maintaining excellent customer service to gain approval. This selective approach benefits approved sellers by ensuring greater visibility for listings alongside both Walmart's first-party offerings and other trusted third-party sellers.
Walmart WFS vs. Amazon FBA: A Comprehensive Comparison
Let's analyze how these two fulfillment giants compare across key operational categories:
Subscription Fees
- Amazon FBA: Requires choosing between a professional plan ($39.99/month) or an individual plan (free, but with limitations on advertising and Buy Box eligibility)
- Walmart WFS: No monthly subscription fees
Selling Fees
Both services have three primary fee categories:
1. Referral Charges
- Walmart: Charges referral fees between 6% to 20% depending on category
- Amazon: Referral fees range from 8% to 45% for specialized categories
While WFS offers competitive referral fees, it doesn't support certain product categories like home décor and apparel. This limitation represents a trade-off businesses must evaluate based on their product offerings.
2. Storage Charges
Walmart and Amazon storage fees are generally comparable, with a notable difference during Q4:
Walmart's storage fee structure:
- January to September: $0.75/cubic foot per month
- October to December (holiday season): $0.75/cubic foot per month for items stored 30 days or less; $1.50/cubic foot for items stored longer than 30 days
- Long-term storage (over 12 months): $7.50/cubic foot per month
Amazon: Increases storage fees significantly during the holiday season regardless of storage duration.
The key consideration: Will your inventory turn over quickly during the holiday season? If you'll store products for less than 30 days during Q4, Walmart offers more favorable terms. For longer storage periods, Amazon might be more cost-effective.
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3. Fulfillment Fees
- Amazon: Uses a weight-tier system to determine fulfillment fees
- Walmart: Considers the product's dimensional weight
This subtle difference can impact your bottom line depending on your product characteristics. Both companies maintain these detailed fee structures behind their seller portals, so conducting a product-specific cost analysis is essential.
Logistics Quality
Both Amazon FBA and Walmart WFS deliver exceptional service quality with:
- Rigorous quality control to prevent shipping errors and stockouts
- World-class shipping infrastructure
- Comprehensive services including product receiving, storage, picking, packing, and processing
- Full customer service support and returns management
- Liability coverage for lost or damaged products
WFS Advantages Over FBA
While the comparison is complex, WFS offers several distinct benefits:
Fast Shipping
Customers purchasing items totaling $35 or more receive free 2-day shipping.
Two-Day Tags
WFS listings eligible for 2-day shipping receive prominent "2-day delivery" tags that boost search ranking and increase Buy Box win rates.
Walmart's Physical Presence
With 90% of Americans living within 15 minutes of a Walmart store, customers enjoy convenient options for returns and in-person customer service.
Exclusive Inventory
Unlike Amazon's commingled inventory model, WFS treats identical products from different sellers as separate inventory, significantly reducing the risk of mislabeling or commingling errors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Walmart WFS
Does Walmart WFS improve product ranking?
Yes! WFS-fulfilled listings often receive better visibility in Walmart's search results due to:
- Guaranteed fast delivery meeting Walmart's performance standards
- "Fast shipping" tags that help listings stand out
- Eligibility for Buy Box prominence with the 2-Day Tag
- Access to Walmart's omnichannel capabilities, including the Free & Easy Returns Program
These advantages allow sellers to compete on service quality rather than price alone.
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Is Walmart WFS reliable?
Absolutely. Customer satisfaction is fundamental to Walmart's business model. A primary motivation for creating WFS was improving the shipping speed and reliability of third-party sellers.
Since products are stored in Walmart's strategically located fulfillment centers—positioned near major U.S. population centers—the company maintains complete control over fulfillment quality and delivery timelines.
How do I apply for Walmart Fulfillment Services?
To qualify for WFS, you must:
- Be an existing Walmart Marketplace seller in good standing
- Have products that meet specific requirements:
- U.S.-based shipping to Walmart fulfillment centers
- No perishable or regulated products
- Maximum weight: 30 pounds
- Maximum dimensions: 25" × 20" × 14"
- Demonstrate a history of on-time orders and high customer satisfaction
While Walmart was initially selective with WFS approvals, the application process has become more streamlined as the program expands.
To get started, complete the Walmart Fulfillment Service Interest Form. Before applying, prepare:
- U.S. Business Tax ID (SSNs not accepted)
- Information about your product categories and catalog size
- Your planned integration method (API, bulk upload, or external solution provider)
Existing Walmart sellers can initiate the process directly through their Seller Center account.
How much does WFS cost?
WFS offers a transparent pricing structure consisting of:
- Fulfillment fees starting at $3.45 for products under 16 ounces
- Storage fees of $0.75 per cubic foot from January to September
- Holiday season storage (October-December): $0.75/cubic foot for items stored under 30 days; $1.50/cubic foot for longer storage
- Long-term storage fee of $7.50/cubic foot per month for items stored over 12 months
Apparel and hazardous items have specialized pricing structures.
Conclusion: Is WFS Right for Your Business?
Walmart Fulfillment Services is ideal for:
- Independent sellers with products that are easy to pack and ship
- eCommerce businesses seeking to increase online sales without significant investment
- High-volume sellers looking to outsource order fulfillment operations
- Brands aiming to expand their customer base and increase visibility on Walmart.com
This cost-effective fulfillment solution helps businesses identify new customers, build brand awareness, and scale operations by tapping into Walmart's massive shopper base. For many sellers, WFS represents a strategic opportunity to diversify beyond Amazon and capitalize on Walmart's growing eCommerce presence.