8th & Walton Retail Supplier Podcast: Recent Episodes
8th & Walton Retail Supplier Podcast
Ready to grow your sales on Walmart.com?
Want to know how to make Walmart Connect work to bring new customers to your item pages?
What are the best online strategies to launch a new product?
We cover these questions and much more on this week’s podcast with Michael Lebhar, CEO of SellCord (click the “play button” above to hear our interview).
Click here to learn more about SellCord’s services and how they grow brands at Walmart.com.
In our conversation with Michael, we cover:
- How suppliers should be using Walmart Connect to grow their business
- Strategies to launch business on Walmart Marketplace
- Best practices for growing sales at Walmart.com
- How SellCord helps Walmart suppliers with strategy and execution
Got a topic you’d like us to cover on an up-coming podcast? Let us know and learn how 8th & Walton helps Walmart suppliers through live online classes and one-on-one advisory.
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On this week’s podcast, we talk with Kevin Parkerson, Founder and CEO of KP Global Logistics Consulting (click the “play” button above to hear our interview).
In our conversation, Kevin discusses:
- His background in working with retailers and suppliers on supply chain issues
- The current state of the global logistics industry
- AI becoming a larger part of how we use supply chain data
- Global logistics in this post-pandemic environment
- Key learnings and missed opportunities from the pandemic
- How importers should be planning for the remainder of 2023 and looking ahead to 2024
If you would like to contact Kevin with a question or to learn more about his services, send a message to kevinp@globallogisticsconsulting.net.
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If you’re not using Walmart’s Item 360 every day, it can be easy to miss an update! Suppliers logging in to Item 360 for the first time in a while may have noticed their content score has fallen. This may be due to recent updates Walmart made on required content. Joel Graham joins the podcast […]
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If you are a Walmart supplier, August 7 – August 18 is a critical window for your fourth quarter planning in 2023. During these two weeks, all Walmart suppliers need to submit the Q4 Closing Template. On this week’s mini-podcast, Terry Clear, 8th & Walton’s Director of Replenishment & Sales Insights, explains: the importance of […]
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When working to improve your item pages at walmart.com, it’s easy to focus on copy, images, and dynamic content. But how do you improve one of the biggest selling tools on your page: the ratings and reviews?
Rick West, CEO and Co-Founder of Field Agent, joins the podcast this week to discuss strategies for getting more (and more quality) ratings and reviews. (Click the “play button” above to hear the podcast.)
During our interview, Rick explains:
- how Field Agent supports suppliers
- why ratings and reviews are valuable to not only suppliers, but to customers
- how ratings and reviews have changed over the years
- why Walmart is prioritizing ratings and reviews for its suppliers
- how suppliers can get more, and more quality, ratings and reviews
- when suppliers should partner with a professional firm
Ready to improve your ratings and reviews? Check out the services Field Agent has to offer to help your online business!
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In early 2023, Walmart announced it was expanding its RFID tagging initiative to more departments. While suppliers have until February 2024 to be fully compliant in stores, early planning and adoption of the RFID technology is critical.
On this week’s podcast, Mike Graen is back with new information on the RFID initiative and tools to help suppliers. During our interview, we ask Mike:
- What is RFID and how is it used in retail?
- What are Walmart’s expectations for suppliers in this new RFID phase?
- What will suppliers learn in the upcoming online RFID seminars?
- What are the benefits of RFID for suppliers and for customers?
- What’s a realistic timeline for beginning RFID tagging to being fully compliant in a store?
After listening to the podcast (click the “play button” above to hear the interview), impacted suppliers should:
- sign up for the next 2023 RFID seminar hosted by Mike Graen
- contact 8th & Walton with any questions
- read more about RFID and it works in retail
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On this week’s podcast, 8th & Walton President and CEO Jeff Clapper looks at 2023 (click the “play button” above to listen).
In addition to discussing new tools and support for Walmart suppliers, we ask Jeff:
- What were the biggest surprises or callouts of 2022?
- What’s been the feedback on 8th & Walton’s B Corp certification?
- In addition to the New Supplier Checklist, what are the new class options for aspiring Walmart suppliers?
- How will Private Brand continue to expand in Walmart this year and how does our team support suppliers?
- What is your advice to Walmart suppliers about how to prepare for this next fiscal year?
Ready to improve your business with Walmart this year? A 15-minute consultation with a Walmart advisor is absolutely FREE!
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What is the difference between prepaid versus collect delivery?
Which is better if you are supplying to Walmart?
Whether to use a prepaid or collect delivery method is part of every supplier’s planning strategy. To dive deep into the major differences between the two, we sat down with Kevin Williamson, CEO of RJW Logistics Group on this week’s podcast (click the “play” button above to listen).
Kevin and his team help suppliers through logistics issues and bring them solutions each week. In our conversation on prepaid delivery versus collect delivery, Kevin explains:
- the major differences between prepaid and collect delivery
- supplying to Walmart and recent fees initiated on suppliers
- prepaid and collect delivery as they directly relate to Walmart’s OTIF requirements
- inventory repackaging, labeling, and POS displays using a prepaid delivery system
- what suppliers should consider when choosing between the two methods
For more questions about prepaid versus delivery or to learn more about RJW Logistics Group’s services, visit them online!
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How does that merchandise display complete the customer’s omnichannel experience?
What social media is impacting how new displays are designed?
That’s part of the conversation on this week’s podcast with Trevor Lewis of InStore Design Display (click the “play” button above to listen).
Even with the surge in customers shopping online or trying curbside pickup, more buying decisions are still being made at the shelf. Planning the right presentation to catch your next customer’s eye is how Trevor and his team support suppliers each week.
In our conversation, we ask Trevor:
- How does InStore Design Display support suppliers?
- For today’s shopper, how important is the store presentation and what role does it play in the holistic omnichannel experience?
- How does the changing retail landscape impact your business?
- How do social media and online influencers impact how you support suppliers?
- What’s happening in the core retail landscape that will impact in-store designs next year?
- When you first sit down with a new client, what is the planning process like and what can you do for suppliers that they may not be aware of?
Got a question for Trevor about your next display planning? Visit InStore Design Display for more information!
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Every Walmart initiative supports one goal: get the customer what they want, when they want it, at an affordable price. In other words, improving the supply chain will not only keep items in stock but will also lower costs in the end. Walmart programs like On Time In Full (OTIF) work to improve the supply […]
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Large companies like Walmart, Tyson, and JB Hunt are looking for innovation to stay relevant for tomorrow’s customers. As a young startup or small company developing new solutions, how do you prepare to get in front of the big players? Today’s innovators are getting connected to solution seekers through Plug and Play. Josh Saffran, Director […]
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During the busy fourth quarter, it’s easy to miss a new announcement or program update from Walmart. Your team at 8th & Walton stays on top of Walmart communications and changes to existing programs. That’s what this week’s podcast is all about! Joel Graham is back on the show (click the “play button” above to […]
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With all the issues facing Walmart suppliers and other businesses, the threat of a cyber attack is one many do not consider until it happens. But it happens more often that you think! Our guest on the podcast this week (click the “play button” above to listen) is Eyal Gallico, founder of Apollo IT services. […]
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Walmart provides its suppliers with a variety of tools and resources to be successful. After getting the agreement to work with Walmart, suppliers get access to their first tool to launch their items at Walmart: Item 360. On this week’s podcast (click the “play button” above to listen), we talk with Joel Graham, 8th & […]
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Walmart suppliers have recently been hit with new fines for non-compliance with labeling and packaging. The new fines are taking suppliers by surprise because Walmart updated the guidelines earlier this year without an announcement or Retail Link® communication. On this podcast (click the play button above to listen), 8th & Walton’s Joel Graham, Director of […]
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Did you know Walmart updated its packaging requirements this year? Are you up to date with changes on Walmart.com content? Did you just get the “yes” from Walmart and need to know what’s next? Yes, this week’s podcast (click the “play” button above!) has information for Walmart suppliers, those trying to be Walmart suppliers, and […]
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Supply chain has met many challenges over the last two years. From new challenges like a global pandemic and drastic consumer demand changes to familiar challenges like capacity and retailer accountability, suppliers adapt quickly or find themselves behind. On this episode of the Retail Supplier Podcast, we visit with Greg Forbis, Executive Vice President of […]
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(Note: to hear our RFID Retail Supplier Podcast with Mike Graen, click the “play” button above. Don’t forget to request a FREE consultation about your RFID issues.) Suppliers and retailers alike are working to improve supply chain. Better packaging, more accurate inventory, shrink reduction, and improved tracking are just a few ways companies seek to […]
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Have you ever wondered what happens when you submit the Contact Us form to 8th & Walton? When you request this free 15-minute consultation, you’ll be contacted by one of the experts on this week’s podcast! (Click the play button above to listen.) We asked our team to give advice to Walmart suppliers this week […]
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With retail business peaking in the fourth quarter, it’s easy for new announcements from Walmart to get missed! This week’s podcast gets you up to speed on changes and updates happening in Walmart E-commerce, deduction disputes, supply chain communication, and more. Click the “play” button above to listen! We’re joined by Steven Bertram, 8th & […]
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Walmart launched its Supplier Quality Excellence Program (SQEP) earlier this year. At the time, the company planned a phased rollout and a penalty structure. Many things have changed, so where is Walmart SQEP today? That’s the focus of this week’s podcast (click the PLAY button above to listen!). We’re joined by two of our Walmart […]
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8th & Walton supports Walmart suppliers three ways: Walmart supplier training classes Custom advisory and one-on-one training Full service support In part three of our “What Is 8th & Walton” series, we discuss how our team actually does the work for Walmart suppliers through full service support. From item setup to weekly reporting and analytics […]
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The retail landscape has changed drastically over the last year. The pandemic, new requirements from retailers, changes in shopper demands, and accelerated online purchases are just a few challenges that hit the industry in a short amount of time. Retailers and suppliers are not only innovating to meet the challenges, but preparing for those that […]
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The Sunshine School and Development Center is hosting its annual Power of Inclusion event Tuesday, April 27.
What’s new this year is the event will be hosted live online, giving Walmart Suppliers and business leaders outside of Northwest Arkansas the chance to attend and interact with industry leaders on the panel.
To learn more and sign up, click here.
On this week’s Retail Supplier podcast, we visit with Morgan Hilger, Fundraising and Event Coordinator for the Sunshine School and Development Center (click the play button above to listen).
In our conversation, Morgan tells us:
- what to expect from this year’s Power of Inclusion event, moderated by Latriece Watkins, EVP of Walmart U.S. Consumables Division
- how to also sign up for the monthly leadership speaker series, featuring presentations and Q&A each month from industry leaders
- what the Sunshine School needs from supporters and how your business can donate and volunteer
Make plans to attend these great events online this year! If you have any questions about signing up or getting involved, contact the Sunshine School and Development Center.
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8th & Walton supports Walmart suppliers three ways:
- Walmart supplier training classes
- Custom advisory and one-on-one training
- Full service support
In part two of our “What Is 8th & Walton” series, we’re focusing on how we help Walmart suppliers on issues specific to their business: Custom Advisory and one-on-one training.
On this episode of our Retail Supplier podcast (click the play button above to listen), we sit down with Joel Graham, 8th & Walton’s Director of Retail Link® & Sam’s Club Insights. Joel is usually the first person a supplier will speak with after filling out a contact form for a free consultation. During our conversation, we learned more about what happens during that first consultation and what topics most suppliers are asking about to help their Walmart business.
Custom Advisory vs. Taking a Class We started by asking Joel about determining when advisory hours may be better than taking a training class. As he illustrates, the initial conversation with the supplier reveals their business need and how their time can best be used.
“Often times I’ll get someone who has signed up for a class and I give them a quick call to welcome them and get to know their business,” he explains. “What we sometimes discover is this person has a very specific need. While the class they signed up for may be fine, it might not dive deep enough into that specific need. Just from a small conversation, we sometimes find out a custom advisory is what they really want. Now we can focus on their needs and really dive into that specific area that they want to learn more about.”
Hot Topics in Custom Advisory Requests The custom advisory team at 8th & Walton receives many requests from Walmart suppliers each week. We asked Joel what some of the hot topics are now that Walmart has rolled out so many changes over the past few months.
Joel Graham “Supply chain is a really hot topic right now,” he begins, “with all the new requirements Walmart is introducing in the Supplier Quality Excellence Program (SQEP). Also, the new Advance Ship Notice (ASN) requirements are bringing many questions.
“Walmart’s Item 360 is very hot right now. Walmart is moving item creation and item maintenance over to this new platform. Item 360 will be the vehicle of the future, including cost management.”
Supplier expectations have been raised significantly in the last few months. Through working with suppliers, Joel explains the common denominator in Walmart’s initiatives and what he sees in custom advisory requests.
“It really all goes back to Walmart’s focus on supply chain and how to improve it,” he explains. “Walmart is taking these steps to ensure suppliers are paying attention to the broken things in the supply chain. Anything that comes into the Walmart distribution network that causes a pause in the process is an expense. That expense is now being turned back over to the supplier as a fine.”
Common Custom Advisory Questions With over 300 years of combined Walmart experience at 8th & Walton, there isn’t a question they haven’t heard! As a Walmart supplier, you should never be concerned that the issue you’re facing is too complex or too basic for Joel and his team. We asked Joel to give us an idea of some of more common questions his team answers each week.
“We get a lot of suppliers with on-boarding requests,” he notes. “They just got accepted into Walmart and don’t really know where to start. There are a lot of questions each week about Walmart accounting. Suppliers have questions about Codes 22, 24, and 25, claims that items didn’t make it to Walmart. We also receive a lot of Retail Link® training requests.”
Setting up a Free Consultation Whether you’re interested in one-on-one training or a special session for your team, all it takes is a quick consultation to get started! Click here to answer a few questions and you’ll be contacted this week. We look forward to working with you!
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