Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Enhanced Seller Center Experience
- Handling Potential Duplicate Listings
- Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Suggestions in Success Hub
- Critical API Updates
- Alert: Phishing Scam Awareness
- About Walmart
- Cookie Settings and Privacy
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
Navigating the Walmart Marketplace as a seller can be complex, especially with continuous changes and updates. But staying informed and adapting to these changes is crucial for maintaining competitive advantage and ensuring business success. Today, we'll explore the major updates announced in Walmart's July 2024 Seller Digest. Whether you're a seasoned seller or new to the marketplace, these updates can streamline your operations and enhance your selling experience.
In this blog post, we'll break down each of the notable changes Walmart has introduced, from improvements in the Seller Center experience to crucial API updates. By the end of this piece, you will have a clear understanding of how these adjustments can positively impact your business.
So, let’s dive into these enhancements and how you can leverage them to optimize your sales performance!
Enhanced Seller Center Experience
Streamlined Search Functionality
The Seller Center experience has undergone significant improvements, particularly in the Items page. The new search functionality allows for more efficient item searches. You no longer need to input lengthy SKU codes or exact item names; now, just two characters are sufficient to yield results. This change simplifies finding items, saving sellers valuable time.
Additionally, capitalization requirements have been removed, making searches more user-friendly. With new sortable columns such as SKU, Ratings, and Reviews, sellers can better manage and prioritize their inventory.
Revamped Sales Reports
Another exciting update is the new and improved Account Sales and Item Sales reports. These updates offer easier-to-understand visualizations and the capability to view multiple metrics simultaneously. Enhanced customization options mean that sellers can tailor reports to their specific needs, making data analysis more effective. These visual tools can provide greater insights into sales trends, facilitating strategic decision-making.
Handling Potential Duplicate Listings
New Notification Feature
Walmart has introduced a new feature to help sellers manage potential duplicate listings. By enabling notifications for potential duplicates, sellers can proactively address and rectify listing issues. To activate this feature, navigate to Notifications under the Settings tab in the top navigation bar of the Seller Center.
Reviewing Duplicate Items
Sellers can review flagged items by going to the Pending Review section. Here, sellers have the option to merge duplicates or mark them as unique. This process is crucial for maintaining a clean catalog, which can improve search visibility and customer satisfaction.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Suggestions in Success Hub
SEM Campaign Recommendations
The Success Hub now includes a section dedicated to SEM suggestions for Google and Bing. This new feature provides sellers with item-specific recommendations to enhance their external search engine marketing efforts. Utilizing these suggestions can drive more traffic to your listings from external search engines, potentially increasing sales and brand visibility.
Critical API Updates
Action Required: Update Your Integrations
Walmart’s API updates are designed to prevent duplicate listing errors. Sellers must update their Items and Disputes API integrations by August 26 to avoid disruptions. Failure to comply will result in listings being unpublished, which can significantly affect sales. Immediate action is required to ensure listings remain transactability per Walmart's Duplicates Listings Policy.
Alert: Phishing Scam Awareness
Identifying Phishing Attempts
There have been reports of an ongoing phishing scam targeting Walmart Marketplace sellers. These fraudulent emails typically originate from the domain @walmartcustomersupport.com. Sellers are advised to disregard and not respond to these emails to protect their accounts and personal information.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. continues to play a pivotal role in global retail, serving approximately 240 million customers weekly through over 10,500 stores and various eCommerce websites in 20 countries. With a focus on sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunities, Walmart remains a leading retail giant.
Cookie Settings and Privacy
Understanding Cookies
Walmart uses various cookies to enhance user experience on its website. These cookies range from essential ones necessary for website functionality to performance cookies that help improve services by tracking visitor numbers and user interaction.
Managing Cookie Preferences
Sellers can manage their cookie preferences to control how information is collected and utilized. This flexibility ensures that the user experience remains aligned with individual privacy concerns.
Conclusion
Staying updated with Walmart’s latest changes can significantly benefit your Marketplace operations. The streamlined search functionality, revamped reports, new duplicate item management features, SEM suggestions, and critical API updates all aim to improve the selling experience and business efficiency.
By adapting to these updates and leveraging new features, sellers can optimize their operations, maintain compliance, and potentially increase sales. Stay vigilant against phishing scams to protect your business from fraudulent activities.
FAQ
How do I enable notifications for potential duplicate items?
To enable notifications for potential duplicate items, navigate to the Notifications section under the Settings tab in the Seller Center’s top navigation bar.
What is the deadline for updating API integrations?
The deadline for updating your Items and Disputes API integrations is August 26. Ensure you complete these updates to prevent your listings from being unpublished.
What should I do if I receive a phishing email from @walmartcustomersupport.com?
Do not respond to emails from the domain @walmartcustomersupport.com. Report the phishing attempt and disregard the email to protect your account information.
How can I manage my cookie settings on Walmart's website?
You can manage your cookie settings by accessing the Privacy Center through the website’s footer. This allows you to customize the types of cookies that collect your data.
By continually adapting to Walmart’s updates and utilizing new tools effectively, sellers can enhance their marketplace performance and safeguard their business against potential disruptions.