Santa isn’t the only one delivering gifts early this year. Walmart just dropped some holiday cheer that has sellers doing a double take: they’re waiving peak season storage fees.
Yes, you read that right. Not raising them, like Amazon reliably does each Q4, but actually waiving them.
What’s Changing?
Traditionally, Walmart sellers using Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) or Marketplace Services (MCS) pay:
- $0.75 per cubic foot of storage per month (standard fee)
- $1.50 per cubic foot per month for inventory stored over 30 days during peak season (October 1 – December 31)
But this year, that peak season increase is off the table. Sellers will continue paying the standard $0.75 per cubic foot, no matter how long their inventory sits.
That’s a significant cost reduction during the most critical quarter of the year.
Why It Matters
Amazon sellers know the drill all too well: every Q4 brings fee hikes that eat into margins. Meanwhile, Walmart is flipping the script, forgoing millions in potential fees, to support their sellers’ profitability.
It’s a move that underscores Walmart’s commitment to fostering long-term partnerships. As the marketplace continues to compete with Amazon, actions like this send a clear message: Walmart values its third-party sellers.
Timing Is Everything
We’re already halfway through August, which means Q4 prep is in full swing. While it may be too early to sip cocoa by the fire, it’s not too early to celebrate reduced fees.
For Walmart sellers, this decision translates directly to:
- Higher margins during the busiest shopping season
- More flexibility in managing holiday inventory
- A competitive edge compared to Amazon sellers who face ever-climbing storage costs
The Bottom Line
Waiving peak season storage fees might seem small on paper, but the ripple effect is big: stronger seller relationships, better margins, and more incentive to grow with Walmart.
What Amazon sellers consider unthinkable, Walmart sellers can now consider business as usual.
This holiday season, the real gift might not be under the tree, it might be sitting in Walmart’s warehouses at half the cost.
