Peak Season Marketplace Checklist
Retail merchants know the importance of holiday revenue. Marketplaces are a key channel, exposing products to millions of potential customers. Yet today’s shoppers are savvy and discerning. Competition is fierce, especially during the peak selling season.
That’s the purpose of this checklist. We built Walmart Marketplace for sellers. We succeed only when you do.
What follows are the key levers for holiday marketplace success, and our tools to make it happen.
Optimize Product Listings
Shoppers compare products quickly during the holidays. Clear, accurate, and optimized listings provide an edge.
- Use the Listing Quality Dashboard: Walmart provides detailed guidance on titles, descriptions, images, attributes, and pricing. A higher quality score improves visibility in search results and enhances conversion rates.
- Highlight key details: Ensure holiday-related attributes (size, color, seasonal themes) are accurate.
- Add rich media: Use high-resolution images and videos that demonstrate product use.
Secure Inventory and Fulfillment
Nothing derails peak sales faster than stockouts or shipping delays.
- Leverage Walmart Fulfillment Services: WFS offers fast, affordable fulfillment with two-day shipping eligibility, boosting customer trust and buy box wins.
- Forecast demand early: Use past sales data to predict top movers.
- Plan safety stock: Build buffer inventory to accommodate unexpected surges.
WFS handles storage, picking, packing, shipping, and even customer service, freeing you to focus on sales.
Stay Competitive on Price
Holiday shoppers are price sensitive and often compare prices across channels.
- Activate Walmart’s Automated Repricer: This tool dynamically adjusts your pricing to stay competitive without constant manual updates.
- Balance competitiveness with profitability: Use minimum and maximum price thresholds to protect margins.
Earn Customer Trust with Reviews
Positive reviews boost buyer confidence — essential for the gifting season.
- Try Walmart’s Review Accelerator Program: Encourage verified customers to leave reviews quickly after purchase.
- Use the Review Syndication Program: Share existing reviews from your ecommerce site directly onto Walmart Marketplace, giving new customers more confidence.
Promote Your Products
Holiday shoppers look for inspiration and deals. Stand out with Walmart’s advertising tools.
- Sponsored Search Ads: Drive visibility by placing products in high-traffic search and browse placements.
- Search Engine Marketing: Extend your reach beyond Walmart’s site to attract motivated buyers from across the web.
- Bundle promotions: Consider discounts, BOGOs, or gift bundles to increase cart size.
Protect Your Brand
Counterfeits and unauthorized sellers can appear during the holidays. Protect your reputation.
- Enroll in the Brand Portal: This tool provides control over intellectual property, authorized sellers, and product content.
- Monitor regularly: Ensure your brand assets and listings remain accurate and protected.
Deliver Exceptional Service
Consumer expectations are higher during the holidays. Smooth service leads to repeat buyers.
- Strive for the Pro Seller Badge: This recognition highlights sellers who provide excellent service, fast shipping, and high-quality listings.
- Respond quickly to inquiries: Shoppers expect timely answers, especially for holiday orders.
- Offer hassle-free returns: Clear return policies reassure hesitant buyers.
Test, Measure, and Adjust
Finally, treat the holiday season as an ongoing campaign.
- Track performance daily: Monitor sales, advertising ROI, and inventory.
- Adjust quickly: Update pricing, ads, or listings based on what’s working.
- Document learnings: Record insights now to prepare for next year.
Success with Walmart Marketplace
Walmart Marketplace provides ongoing education and insights to help you succeed. Visit our Holiday Hub for seasonal updates, expert tips, and peak-season deadlines. Get training and best practices for year-round selling at the Success Hub. Follow the Walmart Marketplace YouTube channel for tutorials, seller stories, and product updates.
Walmart Marketplace enables merchants to compete and grow at scale! Get started today >
