Navigating Walmart's July 2024 Seller Center UpdatesTable of ContentsIntroductionEnhanced Items Page: Simplified Search and Added ColumnsRevamped Sales Reports: More Visual and CustomizableAddressing Duplicate Listings: New Notification SystemSuccess Hub Enhancements: SEM SuggestionsAPI Updates: Action RequiredSecurity Alerts: Phishing Scam AwarenessConclusionFAQIntroductionIn today’s fast-paced eCommerce environment, staying updated with the latest platform changes is crucial for business success. Walmart, as one of the leading global retailers, continually updates its Seller Center to enhance user experience and optimize sales performance. In this blog post, we'll walk you through Walmart's July 2024 Seller Center updates, highlighting the key changes and providing insights to help you navigate these updates effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or new to Walmart Marketplace, understanding these changes will ensure you remain competitive and compliant.Enhanced Items Page: Simplified Search and Added ColumnsOne of the standout updates is the enhanced Items page. To streamline the process of locating products, Walmart has reduced the character requirement for search results to just two characters. Additionally, sellers no longer need to worry about capitalization. These modifications significantly speed up the search process, making it easier for sellers to find and manage their inventory.Moreover, Walmart has added new, sortable columns such as SKU, Ratings, and Reviews. These columns provide sellers with a more comprehensive overview of their products, enabling quicker decision-making and more effective inventory management. By allowing sellers to sort items based on these new parameters, Walmart is empowering them to prioritize their focus on top-performing products.Benefits of the Update:Speed: Faster search results streamline inventory management.Ease of Use: No need for case-sensitive entries enhances user experience.Enhanced Management: New columns provide a detailed view of product performance.Revamped Sales Reports: More Visual and CustomizableWalmart has also overhauled the Account Sales and Item Sales reports. The newly designed reports now feature easier-to-understand visualizations, allowing sellers to grasp their performance metrics at a glance. This visual enhancement makes it simpler to identify trends, spot issues, and track progress over time.Additionally, sellers can now view multiple metrics simultaneously. This multi-metric view improves the ability to correlate different aspects of sales performance, leading to more informed business decisions. The reports also offer additional customization options, enabling sellers to tailor the data presentation to their specific needs.Key Advantages:Visual Clarity: Improved visualizations for quick insights.Concurrent Metrics: Ability to compare multiple metrics concurrently.Customization: Tailor reports to specific business needs.Addressing Duplicate Listings: New Notification SystemDuplicate listings can be a significant issue, leading to complications in inventory management and customer perception. To address this, Walmart has introduced a notification system for potential duplicates. Sellers can now enable notifications for flagging potential duplicates within Seller Center. By selecting Notifications in the top navigation bar and clicking on the Settings tab, sellers can stay on top of any listing issues.To review flagged duplicates, sellers can click on Pending Review in the left-hand menu or follow the link shared via email. This new system allows sellers to assess each item individually, choosing to either merge duplicates or mark them as unique.Benefits:Proactive Management: Stay informed about potential duplicate listings.Ease of Use: Simple notification setup and review process.Reduced Errors: Minimize duplicate listings for better inventory control.Success Hub Enhancements: SEM SuggestionsWalmart's Success Hub now offers suggestions for Search Engine Marketing (SEM) campaigns. Sellers can navigate to the Success Hub to view item suggestions for external SEM campaigns on Google and Bing. This feature aims to help sellers optimize their external marketing efforts, driving more traffic to their listings on Walmart.com.Key Features:Marketing Optimization: Leverage SEM suggestions to enhance traffic.Platform Integration: Seamless integration with Google and Bing campaigns.Traffic Boost: Potentially increase visibility and sales.API Updates: Action RequiredTo further support the prevention of duplicate listings, Walmart has updated its Items and Disputes API integrations. Sellers are required to update their API integrations by August 26 to avoid risking the unpublishing of their duplicate listings. This update ensures that sellers’ data remains current and that their items remain transactible.Required Actions:Immediate Update: Update API integrations without delay.Compliance: Follow the Duplicate Listings Policy to keep items active.Support: Access Walmart’s support resources if needed.Security Alerts: Phishing Scam AwarenessSecurity remains a top priority for Walmart. Recently, there has been an ongoing phishing scam involving emails purportedly from Walmart Marketplace support. Sellers are advised to disregard and not respond to any emails from @walmartcustomersupport.com, as these are not legitimate.Security Measures:Avoid Phishing: Do not engage with suspicious emails.Stay Informed: Regularly check for official Walmart security updates.Report Issues: Notify Walmart of any potential phishing attempts.ConclusionWalmart's July 2024 updates bring significant enhancements designed to improve the seller experience, from inventory management to sales reporting and external marketing efforts. By familiarizing yourself with these updates and acting accordingly, you can ensure smooth operations and maintain a competitive edge on Walmart Marketplace. Stay proactive, update your API integrations, utilize the new search functionalities, and leverage SEM suggestions to drive your business forward.FAQWhat are the benefits of the new searchable columns on the Items page?The new searchable columns, such as SKU, Ratings, and Reviews, provide a more detailed view of product performance, enabling better inventory management and quicker decision-making.How can I avoid duplicate listings on Walmart.com?Enable notifications for potential duplicate listings in Seller Center and review flagged items promptly. You can then merge duplicates or mark them as unique to maintain accurate listings.What should I do about the API update requirement?Update your Items and Disputes API integrations by August 26 to avoid the unpublishing of your duplicate listings. Follow Walmart’s guidelines to ensure compliance.Is there a way to optimize my SEM campaigns through Walmart?Yes, you can navigate to the Success Hub to view item suggestions for SEM campaigns on Google and Bing, helping to drive more traffic to your listings.What should I do if I receive a suspicious email from Walmart?Disregard and do not respond to emails from @walmartcustomersupport.com. Report any phishing attempts to Walmart and stay informed about official security updates.By staying updated and leveraging these new features, you can fully capitalize on the improvements in Walmart's Seller Center and drive your eCommerce success.