Walmart Enhances Supply Chain to Bring Customers What They Need, When They Need It

New program moves products to shelves faster, improving efficiency and cutting costs without requiring changes to prepaid freight terms.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Continuing its commitment of Everyday Low Prices (EDLP) for customers, Walmart today announced a new supply chain strategy, Prepaid Consolidation. This program helps get products to shelves and customers faster by simplifying inbound supplier logistics and building a more connected, scalable, tech-enabled supply chain that improves service and lowers costs.

The program expands Walmart’s first mile capabilities for prepaid suppliers by using its national supply chain network to create a scalable way to merge shipments, creating greater transportation efficiency. Suppliers send products under a single national purchase order to one location, and from there Walmart combines the inventory and distributes it across its 42 regional distribution centers (RDCs).

“We’re focused on making our supply chain simpler, faster and more efficient for suppliers, while also keeping products in stock for our customers,” said Mike Gray, senior vice president of Supply Chain at Walmart U.S. “By strengthening our first-mile capabilities, we’re reducing complexity and keeping goods moving, so we can deliver even more value every day.”

Streamlining the Supplier Experience 

The Prepaid Consolidation Program is built to make things easier for suppliers while still giving them flexibility. Since it’s managed by Walmart, there’s no need for suppliers to change their prepaid freight terms. Instead, they can choose to manage their shipments directly through Walmart or work with company-approved third-party logistics providers (3PLs), including C.H. Robinson, Hub Group, and RJW Logistics.

Through the process, suppliers pay a transparent, price-per-case rate, covering case handling at the automated consolidation center (ACC) and outbound transportation to Walmart RDCs. Suppliers working with participating providers will access region-specific pricing through Walmart’s published rate card, with no additional markups applied by participating providers to services performed by Walmart.

Improving Efficiency While Lowering Cost

Suppliers benefit from simplified shipping — one National PO, one destination — along with transparent pricing and access to Walmart’s national distribution network. The model improves efficiency without requiring changes to prepaid freight terms, and it can reduce total cost while improving speed to shelf. 

By consolidating inbound shipments and allocating inventory across its RDCs, Walmart improves flow consistency and reduces variability. This enhances replenishment precision and supports stronger in-stock performance across stores. 

The Prepaid Consolidation Program will scale in phases, and participation will be prioritized based on volume alignment and capacity expansion. Suppliers interested in participating should contact WTS_Consolidation@Walmart.com or one of the participating providers to explore eligibility.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (Nasdaq: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 280 million customers and members visit more than 10,900 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2026 revenue of $713 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart.