Now, buyers for the retail giant’s 4,600 brick-and-mortar stores can also approve products for Walmart.com. Previously, suppliers that sold on both platforms worked with two separate buyers. The move reduces redundant efforts and makes the process of selling to the e-commerce site more efficient.
“This is part of a continued effort to better serve customers by creating a more efficient process that accelerates how we bring the full assortment of products in stores to Walmart.com,” Walmart spokesman Lorenzo Lopez said in an emailed statement Tuesday. “It also allows for Walmart.com buyers to focus on expanding the online assortment.”
Buyers for the online store will continue to work with suppliers that only sell on Walmart.com.
This is the latest initiative at Walmart focused on positioning the chain to better compete with e-commerce pureplays like Amazon.
Last month, the retail chain introduced free two-day shipping on more than 2 million items on its site.
In August Walmart purchased Jet.com, installing its former CEO as the president and CEO of Walmart eCommerce U.S. With the acquisition, the company positioned itself to accelerate e-commerce growth, increase customer outreach and provide a seamless shopping experience across platforms.
In December Jet.com purchased ShoeBuy for $70 million, and Walmart just announced the acquisition of Moosejaw, an online outdoor retailer for $51 million.
At the company’s Investment Community Meeting in October, Walmart indicated its plan to invest in e-commerce, as it opts to rely on growth in that sector along with comp stores rather than opening new stores.