Where Does Walmart Ship From in 2022? (Not What You Think)
As an experienced ecommerce seller, I often get questions about major retailers‘ fulfillment and shipping operations. One of the most common is – where are Walmart.com orders shipped from?
Walmart may not be top-of-mind as an ecommerce powerhouse. But it‘s quickly gaining ground on Amazon thanks to massive distribution capabilities built up from its 4,700+ stores.
In this guide, I‘ll share insider knowledge on Walmart‘s extensive (and expanding) fulfillment network. I‘ll also provide tips to help sellers maximize sales and shipping performance on Walmart Marketplace.
Let‘s dive in!
An Ecommerce Giant – By the Numbers
Before we look at Walmart‘s shipping operations, it helps to understand the scale of its ecommerce business:
- Over $73 billion in Walmart U.S. ecommerce sales in 2022 – up 12% over 2021 and rapidly approaching Amazon‘s $102 billion
- 10% of Walmart‘s total $573 billion revenue now comes from online sales
- 210 million Walmart.com monthly visitors
- 6X increase in Walmart.com traffic in past 5 years
For sellers, these numbers signal a huge opportunity to grow your brand on Walmart Marketplace. But you need reliable, cost-effective fulfillment and shipping to delight customers – which brings us to…
The Walmart.com Distribution Center Network
Walmart ships online orders from a dedicated network of over 40 ecommerce distribution centers located across the U.S.
I‘ve compiled this list of Walmart.com fulfillment centers by state:
| State | Distribution Center Locations |
|---|---|
| California | Apple Valley |
| Florida | Orlando |
| Georgia | Atlanta |
| Illinois | Elwood |
| Indiana | Plainfield |
| Kentucky | Shepherdsville |
| Mississippi | Olive Branch |
| Nevada | Sparks |
| New Jersey | Totowa |
| Ohio | Washington Court House |
| Pennsylvania | New Stanton, Bethlehem |
| Texas | Fort Worth |
These state-of-the art facilities utilize the latest in automation, AI, and process optimization to achieve rapid fulfillment times.
For example, the 1.2 million square foot site in Bethlehem, PA can pick, pack, and ship over 1 million packages per day. This is helped by an internal subway system, 3,000+ robots, and 110 shipping docks.
How Walmart‘s Distribution Drives Market Share
By leveraging distribution centers already serving its stores, Walmart has been able to aggressively expand its ecommerce fulfillment capabilities:
- Added 25 new ecommerce warehouses since 2017
- Boosted online fulfillment capacity by over 50% in past 3 years
- Reduced standard shipping times by 1-2 days in 2019
This distribution muscle has helped Walmart keep up with Amazon in the race for market share:
| Year | Walmart Ecommerce Revenue | Amazon Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $13.7 billion | $63.4 billion |
| 2022 | $73.8 billion | $102.4 billion |
Maintaining this pace comes down to having products located near major markets ready to ship. Which brings us to…
Walmart‘s Expansive Shipping Reach
Thanks to its distribution center network, Walmart provides fast, affordable shipping to all U.S. states and territories:
- All 50 U.S. states
- APO/FPO military addresses
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
So sellers gain access to over 230 million weekly Walmart shoppers across America.
How Walmart Gets Packages to Customers
With over 6,500 trucks and 55,000 trailers in its private fleet, Walmart delivers many online orders through its own logistics operations. This includes groceries and everyday essentials.
However, for faster delivery times across the U.S., Walmart partners with major carriers like FedEx. Relying on third-party networks helps Walmart cost-effectively meet growing demand.
Walmart also leverages on-demand delivery providers like Point Pickup, Skipcart, AxleHire, and Roadie. These services focus on same-day grocery and local package delivery using gig economy drivers.
Pros and Cons of Walmart Shipping Partners
Expanding shipping through third parties gives Walmart flexibility but has some downsides for sellers:
Pros
- Meet surges in ecommerce order volumes
- Faster shipping speeds by leveraging carriers‘ networks
- Reduce costs by not owning all transportation assets
Cons
- Less oversight and control over third-party driver performance
- Potential for more shipping delays and exceptions
- Can‘t fully optimize delivery routes and inventory allocation
How Sellers Can Excel with Walmart Shipping
When selling on Walmart Marketplace, fulfilling orders yourself or using Walmart Fulfillment Services both have advantages:
Walmart Fulfillment
- Leverage Walmart‘s distribution network and scale
- Free access to two-day shipping
- Stronger search placement on Walmart.com
Self-Fulfillment
- More control over order processing and logistics
- Add personal touches to packaging and inserts
- Combine orders across sales channels to save costs
No matter which option you choose, focus on providing fast, reliable delivery. Walmart bases search rankings heavily on shipping speed.
Where Walmart Marketplace Orders Origin From
When you buy from a third-party seller on Walmart Marketplace, that retailer ships your order from their own warehouse location.
Most sellers are U.S. based, but you can find seller details like location on the product page. Shipping speed and cost will depend on factors like:
- Seller location
- Inventory availability
- Carrier and service selected
- Delivery destination
So be sure to review delivery details closely before purchase.
Ways to Get Free Shipping with Walmart
Here are some of the best ways to get your Walmart order delivered free:
- Spend over $35 on eligible items to qualify for free shipping
- Join Walmart+ for $98 per year to get unlimited free delivery with no minimum order size
- Choose in-store pickup when ordering online to avoid shipping fees completely
Breakdown of Walmart Shipping Costs and Times
To give you an idea of delivery speeds and rates, here‘s an overview of Walmart‘s main shipping options:
- Standard shipping – $5.99 under $35 | Delivers within 2-5 business days
- NextDay delivery – $5.99 under $35 | Delivers in 1 business day when ordered before 2 PM local time
- Two-day shipping – $5.99 under $35 | Delivers within 2 business days
- Freight shipping – Varies based on item size and location | Takes 5-10 business days
Walmart Marketplace seller shipping rates and times will vary. Always verify details before buying.
The Bottom Line – Walmart Ships from Strategic Locations
In summary, Walmart leverages over 40 dedicated ecommerce distribution centers to ship online orders quickly and affordably across the U.S.
It combines its own trucks with major carriers like FedEx to provide expansive, reliable delivery. Walmart Marketplace sellers ship from their own warehouse locations worldwide.
So when you buy on Walmart.com, look for items fulfilled from locations near major hubs like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta to get your order rapidly. And take advantage of free shipping perks to keep costs low.
Let me know if you have any other questions about getting your Walmart purchases delivered! I‘m happy to provide insider tips as an experienced ecommerce seller.
