How to Find Reliable Wholesale Suppliers for Walmart?
Finding reliable wholesale suppliers for Walmart is the backbone of a successful retail business. Making the right decisions and talking to the right people can build your Walmart career, OR it can go in a downward spiral if not done right.
Walmart is the biggest marketplace in the world after Amazon, and offers sellers an opportunity to tap into the massive customer base. However, you need trustworthy suppliers by your side who can provide quality products, competitive pricing, and consistent inventory.
These offerings are what defines a good supplier network and this is mainly what a sellers seeks to outcompete others.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the best strategies to find and evaluate wholesale suppliers. So by the end of this 10 minute read, you will be better informed of your decisions and strategize an action plan to seek best suppliers.
Why Finding the Right Wholesale Supplier Matters?
Bear in mind – choosing the right supplier does not translate to getting the lowest prices. There are numerous factors in consideration. A supplier affects your:
- Product Quality – Poor quality generates negative reviews, returns, and account suspensions.
- Profit Margins – Competitive pricing ensures you stay competitive and ahead of your competitors.
- Inventory Availability – A reliable supplier avoid facing stockouts, thus maintaining your Walmart ranking.
- Shipping Speed – Customers on Walmart expect quick delivery, meanwhile slow suppliers can irritate the user and hurt your rankings.
Now that we understand the gravity of the matter, let’s dive into how to find the best wholesale supplier for Walmart.
1. Understanding Walmart’s Wholesale Model
Before you dive straight into the search for suppliers, it is key to understand how Walmart handles wholesale products.
Walmart marketplace allows three primary models:
Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Suppliers
- They manufacture and distribute their own products.
- Often offer the best pricing because there is no middleman.
- Examples include national brands and smaller manufacturers.
Third-party Wholesale Distributors
- Suppliers purchase products in bulk from manufacturers and sell to retailers.
- Great for those who wish to resell products without having to deal directly with brands.
- Examples include Doba, SaleHoo, and TopDawg.
Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) Suppliers
- Some wholesale suppliers provide products that can be readily fulfilled through Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS).
- Enables faster shipping, better rankings, and Buy Box advantages.
2. Where to Find Reliable Wholesale Suppliers for Walmart?
Now that you are aware of the supplier models, let us explore where to find trustworthy wholesale suppliers.
Attend Trade Shows & Industry Events
Trade shows are one of the best ways to connect with verified wholesale suppliers. Events like this include :
- Walmart Open Call – Walmart hosts an event where suppliers pitch their products.
- ADS Market Week – Another one of the biggest B2B trade shows for resellers.
- MAGIC Las Vegas – A trending event for fashion, clothing, and apparel suppliers.
Try attending all of these events to build your network, negotiate deals, and inspect product quality in person.
Use Online Wholesale Marketplaces
(ask before mentioning brand / tools names)
Use Walmart’s Supplier Network
Walmart has its own Supplier Center as well, where verified wholesalers sell directly to Walmart-approved sellers.
- Pre-approved for Walmart Marketplace
- Guaranteed Product Compliance
- Walmart Logistics Support
Apply through Walmart Supplier Program to access these suppliers.
Search in Supplier Directories
Suppliers directories are like a big box of chocolates, but the good thing is you can choose the candy that you desire. These directories consist of several trusted suppliers with verified reviews.
Some of the top directories include (ask before mentioning names)
3. How to Evaluate a Wholesale Supplier?
Once you have your list of potential suppliers, now its time to vet them through this evaluation criteria:
- Check Suppliers Credentials – Look for their business licenses, tax IDs, and industry certifications.
- Request Sample Orders – Test product quality before committing to a partnership or any large purchase.
- Analyze Pricing & MOQs – See carefully to make sure that Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) and bulk pricing fit your budget.
- Verified Lead times & Shipping Costs – Look only for faster shipping providers as they keep your consumers keep coming back for more.
- Check for Competitive Pricing – Compare and analyze with other suppliers, so you get a good profit margin.
Watch out & beware of suppliers who ask for a large upfront fees, or are not willing to provide references.
4. Understanding Walmart Marketplace Fees
Take Walmart marketplace fees into account (to calculate profitability) when you are sourcing wholesale suppliers.
| Fee Type | Cost |
| Referral Fees | 6%-15% per sale |
| WFS Storage Fees | Based on product size & weight |
| Fulfillment Fees | Competitive with Amazon FBA |
Pro Tip: Work with suppliers who offer volume discounts and low MOQs to keep costs down and in check.
Let us do the Supplier Searching For You!
Finding the right wholesale supplier involves keeping several factors in check. This task can be overwhelming and eat away a lot of your productive time as a seller.
Luckily, Shopin Ecom is here to handle the entirety of this task for you. We help sellers connect with verified wholesale suppliers, negotiate the best deals, and streamline inventory management.
Our team of Walmart Wholesale experts do all the heavy lifting for new sellers and help them supercharge their foundation with a solid supplier network. This is a great load off and brings peace of mind to sellers.
Take the first step towards optimized profits margins and explosive growth. Fill this short form to get in touch with us & ENJOY THE PERKS OF FREE CONSULTATION!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I choose the best Walmart dropshipping supplier?
To find a reliable Walmart dropshipping supplier, keep these factors in check:
- Fast shipping times
- Competitive wholesale pricing
- Integration with Walmart marketplace
- Positive supplier reviews
- Automated order fulfillment
- Real-time inventory updates
2. How can I start dropshipping for Walmart?
To start dropshipping for Walmart, follow this process (over-simplified but you can read full information on this blog [link to blog 10]):
- Apply as a Walmart Marketplace Seller
- Find a reliable dropshipping Supplier
- List products with optimized descriptions
- Ensure Hassle-free order fulfillment
- Make full use of automated inventory management tools
3. What is Wholesale Central, and how does it help sellers?
Wholesale Central is a top supplier directory which connects retailers with verified wholesale and dropshipping suppliers. It offers:
- Access to bulk pricing
- Product catalogs
- Trusted vendors
- Greater Scalability potential
4. What are the best practices for Walmart dropshipping success?
To succeed and outcompete others in Walmart dropshipping, focus on:
- Competitive pricing
- Real-time inventory updates
- Fast shipping
- High-quality Customer service
- Compliance with Walmart Marketplace policies
These can help you maintain strong seller ratings and maximize your sales volume.
