Walmart Opens E-Commerce Marketplace to Non-US Vendors
Transport Topics | March 18, 2021
Walmart Inc. has removed rules requiring sellers on its marketplace website to be registered in the U.S. — an attempt to close the e-commerce gap with Amazon.com Inc. and tap into China’s vast network of manufacturers. Foreign sellers no longer need a U.S. address or business tax identification. The vendors still will be carefully vetted, both locally and by Walmart’s global trust and safety team.
For retailers, marketplaces are attractive because they provide revenue from fees without the cost of storing inventory. Last year, Walmart began offering fulfillment services for its marketplace sellers, a move that Amazon made 15 years ago. Sellers can also purchase advertising on Walmart’s websites, which supports the company’s new Walmart Connect media platform.
“We have strong relationships with many reputable companies around the world and we have some of the most rigorous seller requirements in the industry. As a result, we are opening our U.S. marketplace to a limited number of international companies who share our commitment to customer trust and safety. This will get Walmart more selection, more affordable goods that already dominate Amazon best-sellers lists,” said Juozas Kaziukenas, founder and CEO of Marketplace Pulse.