Key Updates in Walmart Marketplace Seller Center for July 2024Table of ContentsIntroductionEnhanced Items Page for Easier SearchRevamped Sales Reports for Deeper InsightsAddressing Potential Duplicate ListingsSEM Suggestions in Success HubAPI Updates: Immediate Action RequiredSecurity Alert: Ongoing Phishing ScamConclusionFAQsIntroductionNavigating the complexities of online selling can be a challenging task, especially when platforms frequently update their tools and policies. For sellers on Walmart Marketplace, staying up-to-date with the latest changes can make a significant difference in their business performance. The July 2024 updates bring significant modifications aimed at improving user experience, reporting, and seller operations. This blog post dissects these updates, providing you with a clear understanding of what’s new, how it impacts your operations, and what steps you need to take to stay compliant and efficient.Enhanced Items Page for Easier SearchFinding specific items in your inventory should never be a hassle, and Walmart Marketplace's latest updates ensure just that. You no longer need to input extensive search queries; only two characters are now sufficient to yield results. This, coupled with the elimination of case sensitivity, simplifies the search process significantly.What’s New?Two-Character Search: Initiating a search now requires just two characters.Case Insensitivity: Capitalization no longer affects search results.New Sortable Columns: You can now sort by SKU, Ratings, and Reviews directly from the Items page.Impact on SellersThese updates drastically reduce the time spent on finding specific items, enhancing overall efficiency. The introduction of new sortable columns also means you can prioritize item ratings and reviews, allowing for better management of customer feedback and stock priorities.Revamped Sales Reports for Deeper InsightsEffective sales analysis is central to any business’s growth strategy. Walmart has revamped its Account Sales and Item Sales reports to provide clearer visualizations and more customizable options. These changes are set to make your sales data more accessible and actionable.Key FeaturesImproved Visualizations: Easier-to-understand charts and graphs.Simultaneous Metrics Viewing: Compare multiple metrics at once.Enhanced Customization: Tailor the reports to fit your specific needs.Benefits for SellersWith these updates, interpreting sales data becomes straightforward, enabling better-informed decisions. The ability to view multiple metrics simultaneously offers a holistic overview of your sales performance, ensuring you can respond quickly to trends and changes in the market.Addressing Potential Duplicate ListingsDuplicate listings can lead to customer confusion and compliance issues. Walmart Marketplace now requires sellers to review items flagged as potential duplicates within 30 days. This proactive approach helps maintain a clean and organized inventory.New ProcessEnable Notifications: Go to the Notifications section in the top navigation bar and enable notifications for potential duplicate items.Review Listings: Check the 'Pending Review' section or follow email notifications to assess flagged items.Merge or Mark Unique: Decide whether to merge duplicates or mark items as unique.SignificancePromptly addressing duplicate listings helps avoid infringements of Walmart's Duplicate Listings Policy, ensuring your items remain active and purchasable. This proactive step is crucial for maintaining customer trust and inventory integrity.SEM Suggestions in Success HubSearch engine marketing (SEM) is a powerful tool for driving external traffic to your Walmart listings. The new feature in the Success Hub now offers item suggestions specifically for SEM campaigns on Google and Bing, streamlining the process of boosting external visibility.How to AccessNavigate to the Success Hub within your Seller Center dashboard to view the item suggestions catered to your SEM efforts.AdvantagesThese automated suggestions save time and optimize your marketing strategy, allowing you to focus on items with higher potential returns. By leveraging this tool, you can enhance your online presence and drive more traffic to your listings, potentially increasing sales.API Updates: Immediate Action RequiredAPI integrations are critical for seamless operations, especially for managing bulk listings and disputes. Walmart’s recent API updates intend to reduce duplicate listing errors, but require immediate seller action.Necessary StepsUpdate Integrations: Ensure your Items and Disputes API integrations are updated by August 26.Check Compliance: Confirm that your listings adhere to the updated API guidelines to prevent automatic unpublishing of duplicate items.ImpactUpdating these APIs is essential to avoid disruptions in your listings. Failure to comply can lead to your items becoming unpublished, affecting your sales and customer reach.Security Alert: Ongoing Phishing ScamSellers need to be vigilant about phishing attempts. Walmart Marketplace has identified ongoing phishing scams involving emails purportedly from @walmartcustomersupport.com.What to DoDisregard Suspicious Emails: Do not respond to these phishing emails.Report Incidents: Inform Walmart Marketplace support if you encounter such scams.Importance of AwarenessStaying aware of potential security threats protects your business information and ensures the safety of your operations on the platform.ConclusionThe latest updates to Walmart Marketplace Seller Center bring a variety of enhancements designed to streamline seller operations, from revamped reports to more intuitive search functionalities and better duplicate management. Staying updated with these changes not only helps in complying with Walmart policies but also enables you to leverage new features for maximum efficiency and profitability.FAQsWhat are the new search capabilities on the Items page?You can now initiate a search with just two characters, and the search is no longer case-sensitive. New sortable columns like SKU, Ratings, and Reviews have also been added.How do the new sales reports benefit my business?The revamped sales reports offer better visualizations and customization options, allowing you to view multiple metrics simultaneously and gain more actionable insights.How should I handle potential duplicate listings?Enable notifications for potential duplicate items, review flagged listings within 30 days, and decide whether to merge duplicates or mark them as unique to stay compliant.What is the significance of the SEM suggestions in Success Hub?These suggestions help optimize your SEM campaigns on Google and Bing, potentially increasing external traffic and boosting sales.What action is required for the new API updates?Update your Items and Disputes API integrations by August 26 to avoid any disruptions due to unpublished duplicate listings.What should I do if I receive a phishing email purportedly from Walmart?Disregard the email and report it to Walmart Marketplace support to safeguard your business.By comprehensively understanding and implementing these updates, you can capitalize on the enhanced tools and avoid potential pitfalls, setting the stage for continued success on Walmart Marketplace.