Every Walmart supplier—large or small—eventually faces the same operational reality: scheduled closings. Whether it’s a full-company holiday shutdown or simply an annual maintenance window, these pauses in operations must be carefully communicated to Walmart to avoid unnecessary fines and compliance headaches.
At 8th & Walton, we’ve seen how easy it is for suppliers to overlook this critical step—and we’ve built a system to help prevent that.
Why Supplier Closings Matter
When a supplier facility is closed and that closure hasn’t been reported to Walmart through the appropriate system updates, the consequences can be costly. Walmart continues to generate and send orders assuming the supplier is operating as usual. If the order isn’t filled, the supplier can be penalized, dinged in their metrics, and disrupt order cycles weeks into the future.
It’s not just about missing a shipment window; it’s about ensuring that your supply chain, order flow, and compliance scores remain uninterrupted and in good standing.
Clarifying Receiving vs. Shipping Closures
One common oversight we see involves not distinguishing between days when the supplier will not be open to receive purchase orders and days when the supplier will not be shipping product.
For example:
- A supplier may typically receive purchase orders every Monday.
- If they are closed on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1, 2025), they will not receive that week’s order.
- However, they may be open on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 to receive orders, but will not be shipping product on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27) or Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.
These distinctions matter. Both must be correctly entered and reflected in Walmart’s systems to prevent order disruptions or compliance issues. Receiving and shipping closures must be clearly communicated separately.
Planning for Pre-Closure Order Spikes
Closures don’t just affect the week you’re closed—they also impact order volume leading up to the closure. If your team won’t be receiving purchase orders on Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day), expect the previous Monday’s orders (Aug. 25, 2025) to be approximately double their normal volume. Suppliers should plan inventory, staffing, and shipping accordingly to avoid bottlenecks.
Anticipating and preparing for this order surge is crucial for a smooth transition in and out of holiday periods.
The 8th & Walton Process: Staying Ahead of the Curve
To help PathFinders clients avoid these risks, 8th & Walton has implemented a proactive quarterly process. Here’s how it works:
1. Quarterly Planning Cycle
At the start of each Walmart fiscal quarter, our team alerts clients to begin forecasting their closings for the next quarter. For example, at the beginning of Q2, we prompt suppliers to plan for Q3 closures.
2. Six Weeks Ahead Rule
We strongly recommend submitting closure information to Walmart at least six weeks in advance. While the system may accept shorter notice, giving Walmart this lead time ensures the system updates properly and avoids surprises on both sides.
3. Submission in Supplier One
Suppliers are guided by our experts through the process, identifying:
- Full-day closings (e.g., July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas)
- Any unique days that differ from industry norms
- Accurately reflecting dock hours in the transportation portal
This system ensures that all planned disruptions are known and accounted for, and order generation is paused or redirected accordingly.
Final Thought: Don’t Wait for the Fire Drill
If you’re scrambling to fix orders after a missed closing, it’s already too late. 8th & Walton helps Walmart suppliers avoid this with simple planning, timely reminders, and clear process guidance. Whether you’re new to working with Walmart or managing a complex supply chain, our team ensures you stay ahead of compliance and focused on growth.
Protect your compliance score and avoid missed orders, connect with our experts today by completing the form below.
We’ll be in touch soon to help you plan your supplier closings with confidence.
