How to Sell a Product at Walmart
How to Sell a Product at Walmart
Introduction
How to Sell a Product at Walmart. Walmart is globally known as one of the world’s largest marketplace and retailers, with more than 12,000 stores in various locations around the world. Walmart boasts of over five hundred billion dollars accrued over sales, annually. For any seller, looking to start selling their products at Walmart, it is a worthy investment, as your brand and products have the possibility of being exposed to a vast audience in need of them, therefore causing an expansion, and promoting sales. Walmart’s shelves are wide open.
However, selling at a market place as large as Walmart comes with its own challenges, making it a seemingly daunting venture, especially for small and medium scale business owners.
In this article, you will be provided a comprehensive guide on how to effectively create a lasting partnership with Walmart, and have your products fly off the shelves in no time.
Preparing Your Product for Walmart
Before starting a sales business, you must learn all about it, understand it from the inside out. You need to be fully equipped with the necessary knowledge about your product, before putting it up for sale. When you are sure of your product’s worth and are knowledgeable about it, you must ensure that it meets the Walmart standard, as their integrity will not be compromised by low grade products.
First of all, your product must be good enough to fulfill your customers’ desires, and fully meet their needs. Walmart has set a strict standard of meeting customers’ needs with all the products they sell, which is a testament to their credibility.
Another of Walmart’s standards, is that all products must be safe for customers’ use, and must comply with the safety regulations. This is to eliminate all traces of fear and paranoia, when customers come to shop. The last standard and requirement, is that your product must be properly packaged and labelled. This is clearly to keep customers engage, and drawn towards your product. A product that is well packaged, and labelled clearly, is more likely to leave the shelves faster than others in the same category.
All of these is necessary in making your product stand out of the crowd of products in the same category and subcategory. It also makes Walmart have trust in your business.
Getting Your Product into Walmart
To get your product into Walmart the right way, and have buyers notice it faster, there are a few strategies you will need to employ.
- Make Detailed Research: Research on Walmart’s product categories and subcategories, and understand where your products will fall into, as there are various categories, such as; grocery, electronics, clothing, home goods, health and beauty, sports and outdoors, toys and games, baby products, pets and supplies, etc.
Each of these categories have subcategories, and one must be very careful to pick the right category and subcategory, in order to have your product on the right shelf, to avoid confusion, and lead customers to them, when they are searching. For example, under the electronics category, there exists subcategories such as: TV and video players, audio and musical instruments, cameras and photography, computers and tables, gaming consoles, among others.
Once you have a good understanding oh their categories and subcategories, it will be easy to know where your products fit.
2. Develop a strong sales pitch and marketing materials:
The importance of having a good and compelling sales pitch cannot be overemphasized. This pitch should highlight your products values and benefits, as well as it’s competitive values, which causes it to stand out.
This must be compelling enough to keep customers coming, and have trust in your product. Of course, your sales pitch must match the value of your product. What you say must be exactly what customers get. Your sales pitch can appear in marketing materials, such as product brochures or sheets, product promotion videos, packaging samples, etc. Make sure that your sales pitch is in line with Walmart’s requirements.
- Create a Valuable Network: Networking with Walmart buyers is a great way to promote visibility, by presenting and showcasing your products. This network can be created by attending events and trade shows, where Walmart buyers are more likely to attend. This way, you get to build relationships with them, while promoting your product. Walmart has an event; Walmart’s annual Open Call event for new product submissions. It is a great opportunity to build this network.
By doing these, you will be able to put your product out to customers, and increase the chances of having great sales.
Becoming an Approved Walmart Vendor
To be recognized by Walmart, you need to pass certain tests in order to be an approved vendor. These are necessary so that you get a proper backing, and Walmart promotion for your products. To become an approved Walmart vendor, you must meet all the vendor requirements that will be provided to you, as well as meeting their standards. This is because of the credibility of Walmart’s name, and their desire to keep it that way.
You will be required to submit an application letter for scrutiny, and undergo a review process. Upon acceptance, register your business with Walmart’s systems and technology to integrate seamlessly.
You must understand that the protocols are necessary in order to keep Walmart running, and eliminate any possible threats, under the guises of sellers. This way, customers will keep patronizing Walmart, and your products as an extension.
Managing Your Walmart Business
Effectively manage your registered business after approval to ensure ongoing success. You are to manage inventory, shipping, and delivery, in order to meet Walmart’s delivery expectations, protecting their trusted name. You will need to partner with Walmart’s systems to make sure that there is effective communication and order management.
Remain up-to-date with changes made in the store, and adjust according. Continuously meet Walmart’s evolving requirements to sustain a successful vendor partnership.
Marketing and Promoting Your Product at Walmart
Stand out in a crowded market: partner with Walmart’s marketing team to promote your product in-store effectively.
Understand and employ the strategies that Walmart uses to market and promote products. Walmart has made available a few digital platforms where you can promote your product. Make sure to take advantage of them.
In addition to this, you can as well go out of your way to promote your product without any assistance. Boost Walmart sales via social media: paid ads, influencer partnerships, blog posts, and status updates driving customer engagement.
Conclusion
Selling at Walmart demands careful preparation, strategic planning, and effective execution amid diverse product offerings. Follow these steps and understand Walmart’s retail model to boost sales and grow your business with the retail giant.
Prioritize high-quality products and excellent customer service for long-term success as a Walmart supplier.
Upgrade your products as needed to meet customer needs at any given time.
Responses