8th & Walton

Lainie: Welcome to 3-Minute Insights, where we discuss issues of importance to Walmart suppliers. Today we welcome 8th & Walton’s Heather Reid to discuss primary menu items within Supplier One that are especially valuable for supplier accounting and finance teams. Lainie: Before we begin, we wanted to clarify that this advice is for U.S.-based teams, right? Heather: That’s correct. It does not apply to Walmart Canada. It is for Walmart U.S. clients or suppliers. Lainie: How should finance teams use deductions, payment history, and disputes to improve cash reconciliation and recovery? Heather: With regard to payment history, disputes, and deductions, I really want to focus on the deduction side, because deductions give us a comprehensive look at what kind of issues we’re seeing. For example, with chargebacks, we can see what types of shortages we’re getting. Heather: Supplier One lets you organize deductions by category when you download the report, by different allowances and by returns, and it also allows you to look at 3, 6, or 12 months, and you can customize it. It’s a great way to look for money that you might not have realized was deducted from a check, and then you can dispute it in the Accounts Payable Dispute Portal if you have the backup to support that it shouldn’t have been deducted. Heather: Also, within the payment section, you’ll see payment history. You can see all payment types and check numbers. It gives you a list of all your check numbers, and you can download it. There is also an overview of the Accounts Payable Dispute Portal, also known as Disputes. Heather: Right now, it’s really a visual of what disputes I’ve actually created and put into the Accounts Payable Dispute Portal within Retail Link. The systems talk to each other and give you a visual overview of what’s actually happening in that APDP app. It’s a quick way to access this information, especially if you’re in Supplier One on the payment section. Are you a Walmart Supplier? Get in touch to schedule a free consultation: hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "668902", formId: "c508e66a-f477-45fb-8e18-cb982be88a9e", region: "na1" }); Lainie: From there, how can suppliers best use paid invoice details, unpaid invoices, and 90 Days Paid in their weekly cash flow reviews? Heather: This functionality migrated out of the old system when a lot of people were worried it might be taken away, and now it has been brought into Supplier One, which is fantastic. There’s a Paid Invoice section and an Unpaid Invoice section. Heather: These sections allow you to look back over roughly the last week. You pick a day of the week, and it will show you what was paid in the last week and what is unpaid, including any invoices that are past due and have not been paid yet. There can be many reasons why they aren’t paid yet, and those will show up. Heather: There is also a section for 90 Days Paid, which I love, because you can download it and get information on purchase orders and what was paid. It’s really helpful for reconciling anything you have outstanding, which can sometimes be missed when you just download the check itself. This allows you to pull everything into one Excel file and do your reconciliation. Lainie: We all want to get paid. Heather: Yes, one hundred percent. Lainie: Finally, what are the most effective ways to use scorecard returns, OTIF trends, and OTIF charges to prevent fines and future deductions? Heather: The performance matrix includes a scorecard that gives you an overview where you can toggle between OTIF (On Time In Full) and SQEP, the Supplier Quality Excellence Program. These are Walmart’s compliance programs, and they provide a quick overview—especially useful if I’m in management and want to see what’s happening without time to dive into the details. I can look at my scorecard, because it gives me that high-level view. Heather: You can also see return trends, which a lot of suppliers love, because it tells us why customers are returning the product. They may have changed their minds, or maybe the product was defective. You can see how those reasons are broken out into different categories. Heather: There are also On Time In Full trends, so I can see over time whether my OTIF performance is trending. From an accounting perspective, there are charges, and we can look at projected charges. That way I can see what’s coming—there’s no surprise when I get the charge. Heather: It also allows you to see what has actually hit your books, and you can drill into that as well. The charges and trends still live in Retail Link, but Supplier One has migrated this portion over too, so you can access it there as well. 3-Minute Insights is produced by 8th & Walton at The Ledger in Bentonville Square. The Ledger offers six fully bikeable stories of private offices, individual coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and event venues. The Ledger’s stunning views and state-of-the-art amenities make it the perfect location for doing business, hosting events, and celebrating life’s milestones, including weddings! The post Harnessing Supplier One — 3-Minute Insights appeared first on 8th & Walton.

  Our guest this week was 8th & Walton’s Heather Reid, Director of Education Canada and Accounting Insights. Check out our interview with Heather on Walmart Canada’s Supplier Manual! Lainie: How would you briefly explain Walmart Canada’s inbound compliance codes and how they relate to SQEP style fines? Heather: SQEP is very similar in Canada. It’s just that the terminology is different. So SQEP, the supplier Quality Excellence program, which is named in the US, is all about supply chain compliance, whereas in Canada, they call it inbound compliance codes, definitions, and fees. And it’s very similar in the sense that it’s all about PO accuracy, load accuracy, pallet accuracy, and packaging accuracy. In Canada, they actually call it quality. So low quality, pallet quality. And in the US, they’ll call it pallet compliance or load compliance. So very similar. And with similar expectations. So we need to find out where we can get this information ’cause as we know, it has recently been updated, right? Are you a Walmart supplier in need of guidance? Get in touch! hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "668902", formId: "c508e66a-f477-45fb-8e18-cb982be88a9e", region: "na1" }); Lainie: Could you walk us through where to find this in Retail Link and the supplier information manual? Heather: For sure, as a Canadian supplier, you wanna be on the Retail Link Canada site. And then you wanna go into the Docs tab for suppliers in Canada. The Docs tab is where everything is available to you. We don’t have Academy in Canada, so we use the docs, and under the docs, you’re gonna look for the supplier information manual. Such an important section. And what you’re gonna do when you get to that is you’re gonna look for a section called distribution centers. There are multiple distribution center guides. I believe that there are actually six of them, depending on how you ship to Walmart. The one I want to focus on is the Regional Distribution Center Guide. And if you ship to their main distribution centers within that, you will see what we call the compliance fees. And if you look at pages 128 to 137 in that specific guide, it’ll break down those different fees. I do want to make sure we mention that the fees were updated in February of 2026.  There are also processing fees, and depending on the type of DCs you send to the flat rate for most of ’em is $170. There’s also a flat rate for ambient, which is slightly higher. So very important. If you’re not getting information about any non-compliance, you can actually get an email sent to you before you receive the fine. So it’s not a surprise. And there is a section within the supplier information manual under what they call distribution centers, as well, but they also call the section Distribution Center Forms and Tables. And if you go in there, you will actually find a form to fill out for Canada non-compliance, so the compliance information is emailed to you in advance of actually receiving that fine. 3-Minute Insights is produced by 8th & Walton at The Ledger in Bentonville Square. The Ledger offers six fully bikeable stories of private offices, individual coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and event venues. The Ledger’s stunning views and state-of-the-art amenities make it the perfect location for doing business, hosting events, and celebrating life’s milestones, including weddings! The post Walmart Canada’s Inbound Compliance codes & SQEP Style Fines — 3-Minute Insights appeared first on 8th & Walton.

When shoppers search for the best seaweed snacks, they’re looking for three things: taste, better-for-you ingredients, and a brand they can trust. Ocean’s Halo has emerged as a leading seaweed snack brand in the U.S. by combining strong Walmart execution with measurable sustainability. The result is consistent growth in one of the fastest-evolving better-for-you categories. This case study highlights how Ocean’s Halo strengthened its position through disciplined retail execution, digital acceleration, and operational sustainability — in partnership with 8th & Walton. About Ocean’s Halo Ocean’s Halo is a better-for-you Asian brand known for its seaweed snacks and globally inspired pantry staples. The brand has focused on making Asian-inspired products more accessible while prioritizing packaging innovation and environmental responsibility. At Walmart, Ocean’s Halo’s seaweed snacks are widely distributed in stores with an Asian aisle and continue to gain momentum. The Objective: Win on Shelf, Win Online, Win on Sustainability Ocean’s Halo set out to: Strengthen seaweed snack assortment and velocity at Walmart Protect in-stock performance as demand increased Accelerate Walmart.com performance Turn sustainability into a measurable retail advantage The strategy was simple: align brand momentum with operational excellence. Strengthening Seaweed Snack Growth at Walmart Seaweed snacks continue to expand as a better-for-you option within the snack aisle. Ocean’s Halo focused on defending and growing share through: Data-backed assortment planning Competitive benchmarking within the category Strategic digital support Innovation timing aligned to modular cycles 8th & Walton supported this effort by helping translate performance data into clear buyer-facing narratives, preparing for line reviews and modular discussions, and ensuring that growth recommendations were grounded in velocity, category trends, and profitability. Rather than relying on trend momentum alone, the brand consistently demonstrated how expanded assortment drove category growth. The result: significant year-over-year sales increases across core seaweed snack items and multipacks. In addition to strengthening core items, Ocean’s Halo has successfully launched five Walmart-exclusive flavors over the years — Bacon, Ginger Sesame, Red Hot Chili Crunch, Thai Sweet Chili, and Sea Salt & Vinegar. Four of those five innovations went on to become the fastest-growing flavors in the entire seaweed snack category. That level of hit rate is rare in any market and reflects disciplined innovation aligned to shopper demand and modular timing. Protecting In-Stock and Operational Performance Growth only matters if product is available. As demand increased, Ocean’s Halo prioritized forecast alignment and supply chain consistency to reduce lost sales risk and protect OTIF performance. 8th & Walton worked alongside the Ocean’s Halo team to monitor forecast variances, flag potential demand gaps early, and prepare clear communications that aligned expectations across supply, replenishment, and merchant teams. Operational discipline helped ensure that velocity gains translated into sustained performance — not avoidable disruption. Accelerating Walmart.com and Digital Shelf Performance Digital discovery is increasingly important in snack and better-for-you categories. Ocean’s Halo strengthened its Walmart Connect and dotcom strategy by: Investing strategically in search and brand campaigns Measuring incremental lift and reinvesting around key moments Supporting trial through targeted offers and review generation 8th & Walton provided strategic guidance on campaign structure, competitive defense, and performance measurement — helping ensure that digital investment reinforced in-store growth rather than operating in isolation. One example of this guidance was expanding digital visibility beyond the narrow “seaweed snacks” search category and into the broader “healthy snacks” space. By leveraging digital advertising to grow the shelf digitally, Ocean’s Halo increased exposure to new audiences, driving incremental trial, attracting new-to-seaweed customers, and strengthening overall brand awareness. Looking to grow your brand at Walmart like Ocean’s Halo? From assortment planning to digital shelf expansion and sustainability storytelling, structured execution makes the difference. Fill out the form below to start a conversation with our team. hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "668902", formId: "afe3b69e-8934-4b33-a7c2-274709daae92" }); Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage Ocean’s Halo’s seaweed snacks are 100% trayless — eliminating plastic trays commonly used in the category. This decision supports both environmental impact and logistics efficiency. Ocean’s Halo 2025 Sustainability Impact 363,704 lbs of plastic avoided ~17.8 million plastic bottles equivalent reduced 5,757 pallets saved 192 truckloads avoided 8th & Walton supported the brand in quantifying and articulating these sustainability outcomes in a way that resonated with retail stakeholders — ensuring the environmental story was both measurable and retailer-relevant. The Role of Strategic Partnership Ocean’s Halo and 8th & Walton have worked together to align growth strategy, operational discipline, and retailer communication. The focus has never been to replace the brand in the relationship — but to strengthen preparation, clarity, and follow-through. From assortment positioning to digital strategy to sustainability storytelling, the partnership helped ensure that momentum translated into measurable, retail-ready results. The Outcome Ocean’s Halo continues to strengthen its position as a leading seaweed snack brand at Walmart by combining: Consistent assortment performance Operational reliability Digital acceleration Measurable sustainability As consumer demand for better-for-you snacks and sustainability transparency increases, Ocean’s Halo is positioned for continued growth — built on execution that retailers can trust. Learn More 8th & Walton’s PathFinders consulting supports Walmart suppliers with structured guidance, operational alignment, and measurable progress. Learn more about PathFinders → PathFinders supports Walmart suppliers with structured planning, operational discipline, digital acceleration, and measurable results. Complete the form below to explore how we can support your Walmart strategy. hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "668902", formId: "afe3b69e-8934-4b33-a7c2-274709daae92" }); The post Ocean’s Halo: A Leading Seaweed Snack Brand Built on Walmart Execution and Sustainability appeared first on 8th & Walton.

For this week’s 3-Minute Insights, 8th & Walton’s Heather Reid walked us through more of the resources on the 8th & Walton website, with a focus on the Consulting, Training, and Resource tabs. Heather: So this is our homepage, where you can find everything about our support, consulting, and training. But I wanted to focus on the top here, on the Consulting, Training, and Resource tabs. And regarding the consulting, this is where you’ll find all about us and what we can do to help your business. Heather: We call it Pathfinders. I would encourage you to scroll through here. It covers service description, features, and pricing, but as you scroll down, you can also see guidance on the different platforms we have. We have Bronze, Silver, and Gold, so take some time reading through that. Heather: The second thing I would say is jump up to the top here and look at Training. Regarding training, we now offer custom training for your team. And you can pick whatever topics you want related to Walmart U.S. and Walmart Canada . It can be yourself, it can be your entire team if you like. Heather: And then you can see that we do accounting, Walmart systems, supply chain, item management, and so forth. And you can build your plan with us. The next tab here at the top is resources. And regarding our resource page, everything is free. Heather: So here we have the podcast information.  Our Walmart calendar, which we’ve discussed previously. Walmart department numbers. Maybe you’re just wondering, “What are those department numbers?” “What’s my department number?” Heather: There’s help and support with Scintilla(TM), a glossary of terms, all these wonderful terms that Walmart has. It’s a great way to develop a relationship with your buyer if you can talk the same language. An accounting reference sheet helps with all the different accounting programs. Heather: If you’re a collector prepaid supplier, that’s from a supply chain point of view, retail math formulas, that is one I love because it really helps me with what actually goes into that formula. And there’s a little cheat sheet in there for you. There’s a new supplier checklist. Maybe you’re brand new to Walmart. Heather: And then we have free assessments: We would love to talk to you! So do we encourage you to take some time to go through our website and the many free resources there, and to find out about our consulting and training. Are you a Walmart supplier in need of guidance? Get in touch! hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "668902", formId: "c508e66a-f477-45fb-8e18-cb982be88a9e", region: "na1" }); Lainie: Again, once people have gone through these resources, they can get in touch to request an assessment to see if there’s anything 8th & Walton can help with. Heather: Absolutely. For sure. And we can have an expert on the first call, just find out what your needs are. Absolutely. 3-Minute Insights is produced by 8th & Walton at The Ledger in Bentonville Square. The Ledger offers six fully bikeable stories of private offices, individual coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and event venues. The Ledger’s stunning views and state-of-the-art amenities make it the perfect location for doing business, hosting events, and celebrating life’s milestones, including weddings! The post Consulting, Training, and Resources at 8thandWalton.com — 3-Minute Insights appeared first on 8th & Walton.

Ever wondered what a Walmart broker does — and whether hiring one would help your business? Below, we’ll break down what a Walmart broker offers, the advantages and disadvantages of working with one, how to select the right broker, and what alternatives exist if hiring a broker doesn’t feel like the right move. What Is a Walmart Broker? At Walmart, a broker is hired by a supplier and acts as a middleman between that supplier and Walmart. Brokers take on some of the planning, execution, or analysis that the supplier would otherwise handle internally. What Is a Walmart Broker’s Job? The specifics vary widely. Some suppliers hire brokers to get their product on the Walmart shelf. Others bring them in to improve sales, manage reporting, streamline operations, or guide advertising strategy. Some want limited support. Others want full service. A broker may: Analyze and manage sales data Provide category insights Take a product from concept to shelf Offer negotiation guidance Manage communication with Walmart buyers and merchandisers Provide item setup and maintenance Run weekly reports Advise on packaging decisions Train staff Develop and execute Walmart Connect campaigns Oversee shelf placement Improve supply chain operations Prepare for and attend line reviews Plan promotions and analyze results Monitor category trends Naturally, the more services provided, the higher the cost. What Are the Benefits of Working With a Walmart Broker? Retail is complex. Hiring a broker can offer meaningful advantages. Specialized knowledge. Brokers bring familiarity with Walmart’s systems, processes, and expectations, helping suppliers navigate complexity more effectively. Experience and perspective. A seasoned broker may identify options or strategies that newer suppliers might overlook. Time savings. Brokers reduce stress and administrative burden, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on product and growth. Speed and efficiency. Familiarity with Walmart’s requirements can help avoid costly mistakes and accelerate execution. Gap coverage. For small or short-staffed teams, a broker may fill critical capability gaps without the cost of a full-time hire. Change monitoring. When Walmart policies, systems, or leadership shift, brokers can dedicate time to staying current so suppliers don’t fall behind. What Are the Disadvantages of Working With a Walmart Broker? While brokers can provide value, there are important tradeoffs to consider. Cost. Brokers typically charge commissions or substantial fees that can significantly impact margins. Inconsistent quality. Not all brokers have equal experience or judgment. Some overpromise and underdeliver. Limited learning. When suppliers rely heavily on brokers, they may not develop internal capability or understanding of their Walmart business. Loss of brand voice. Brokers often represent multiple suppliers. The uniqueness and passion behind a product may not come through as strongly. Isolation. If you are not in meetings with Walmart, you may never build relationships with buyers or key decision-makers. Conflicts of interest. Brokers may represent competing suppliers or prioritize larger accounts. Difficulty exiting. Without a clear transition plan, suppliers may become dependent on a broker structure that grows more expensive over time. How Should a Supplier Select a Broker? If you decide to hire a broker, ask thoughtful questions before committing. Consider asking: Do they value my product and perspective? How transparent is their fee or commission structure? What is their specific Walmart experience? Who are their current clients, and can I speak with them? Does their expertise match my needs (item management, advertising, inventory, etc.)? Who specifically will I work with? How do they handle conflicts of interest? What insights and ongoing analysis do they provide? The right broker should demonstrate both experience and integrity. What Are the Options Besides Hiring a Broker? If hiring a Walmart broker doesn’t feel right, you still have strong alternatives. 1. Build Capability Internally Some suppliers choose to invest in learning and managing their Walmart business themselves. This may include: Fully utilizing Walmart Academy and Retail Link resources Studying in-store execution and competitor placement Analyzing Walmart.com listings and customer reviews Attending conferences and networking with experienced suppliers Engaging in structured Walmart-focused coaching or advisory programs This path requires time and discipline, but it builds long-term independence. 2. Hire an Internal Walmart Lead Instead of paying commissions, some suppliers hire a team member dedicated to Walmart. This may make sense if: You’re dissatisfied with broker performance Costs are escalating without a clear ROI You want direct accountability Someone internally shows aptitude and interest Hiring builds internal ownership — but requires training and oversight. 3. Work With 8th & Walton 8th & Walton provides many of the strategic and operational services of a broker — with two key distinctions: You remain the face of your brand. We coach and prepare you for line reviews and buyer meetings, but you build and maintain the relationship with Walmart. Long-term trust requires your presence. Predictable pricing. Our services are not commission-based. You know your monthly investment upfront — no sliding scales or escalating fees tied to sales. Through PathFinders and our advisory services, we help suppliers: Clarify priorities Improve execution Reduce fines and inefficiencies Strengthen reporting and compliance Build internal capability Some suppliers even hire an internal Walmart manager and have 8th & Walton train and support that person — keeping costs predictable while developing in-house expertise. If clarity, structure, and long-term capability matter to you, we’re here to help. Contact 8th & Walton to learn more about how we support Walmart suppliers. The Bottom Line on Walmart Brokers Deciding whether to hire a broker is significant. There is financial risk either way, and much is at stake. Consider: Your short-term needs Your long-term goals Your budget Your internal capacity Being a Walmart supplier is an incredible opportunity. The structure you choose to support that opportunity deserves careful thought. If predictable costs and expert guidance — without commissions — feel right for your business, we would be happy to discuss whether working together makes sense. The post What Is a Walmart Broker? Pros/Cons of Hiring One appeared first on 8th & Walton.