Why Purchase Orders Matter
Purchase orders (POs) are at the heart of your Walmart business. They confirm demand, guide production planning, and help ensure shelves stay full. When POs don’t show up as expected, it can create challenges for suppliers—from production delays to confusion in the supply chain.
The good news? With the right awareness and a few best practices, suppliers can spot potential issues early and keep things running smoothly.
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes
Walmart’s PO process is highly complex, running across multiple systems, distribution centers, and timelines. From time to time, suppliers may notice things like:
- A distribution center (DC) not generating POs on the usual schedule.
- POs arriving a bit later in the day than expected, sometimes after planning cutoffs.
- A significant difference between forecasted orders and actual POs.
Most of the time, these resolve quickly. But if you’re not looking for them, it’s easy to miss the signs.
Why It’s Important to Monitor
Even small delays in PO creation can affect in-stocks and sales. For example, a few days without POs on a high-volume item can ripple through your supply chain.
Many suppliers who’ve successfully navigated these situations have something in common: they’re proactive. They keep an eye on PO flow, and when something looks unusual, they raise the question early. This not only helps protect sales but also shows Walmart that you’re managing your business with care.
Noticing unusual PO patterns? Don’t wait until it affects in-stocks. Our team can quickly review what you’re seeing and help you determine if it’s a normal delay or something to act on. Fill out the form below for a quick check-in with one of our experts.
Supplier Best Practices
Here are some practical steps any supplier can take:
- Keep an Eye on Weekly PO Dollars
Compare the value of POs received this week to your recent averages. If you see a sudden drop, take a closer look. - Look Across Your DCs
Sometimes one DC lags behind while others are on time. Checking at the DC level can help you catch these cases quickly. - Cross-Check with Forecasts
Compare Walmart’s forecast with actual POs. If there’s a significant gap, it may be a timing issue rather than a demand change. - Know Your Data Sources
Be familiar with where else you can get PO information—such as Supplier One—if one system isn’t updating right away. - Stay Connected with Walmart
If something doesn’t look right, check in with your Walmart replenishment team. Often, the best approach is to monitor, but repeated misses are worth discussing together.
Turning Awareness Into Partnership
Monitoring POs isn’t just about catching problems—it’s about building a stronger partnership with Walmart. By keeping a close eye on your order flow, you can:
- Spot opportunities to stay in-stock even when timing shifts.
- Be proactive instead of reactive when answering questions from your replenishment team.
- Demonstrate that you’re aligned with Walmart’s goals to serve the customer first.
Final Thought
POs are the foundation of your Walmart business, and while the process is complex, suppliers have the tools to stay on top of it. By tracking weekly patterns, validating against forecasts, and communicating openly with Walmart, you can ensure your business stays steady—even when the unexpected happens.
Tip to take away: A quick weekly check of your PO flow is one of the simplest, most effective ways to safeguard sales and strengthen your Walmart partnership.
Your Walmart business depends on steady PO flow. At 8th & Walton, we help suppliers spot issues early, protect sales, and strengthen their partnership with Walmart. Ready to stay ahead of PO challenges? Fill out the form and connect with our team today.
