Walmart Opens 900,000-Square-Foot Fulfillment Center in California
Walmart has opened its fifth next-generation fulfillment center in Stockton, California, using automated systems to handle both Walmart’s own orders and WFS third-party seller orders.
What are the key facts?
- 1Walmart opened a fulfillment center in Stockton, California
- 2The center covers about 900,000 square feet
- 3The center serves both Walmart.com and WFS third-party sellers
- 4The next-generation fulfillment network covers next-day or two-day delivery for about 95% of the U.S. population
What happened?
Digital Commerce 360 reported that Walmart has opened its fifth next-generation fulfillment center in Stockton, California, covering about 900,000 square feet. The center handles both Walmart.com orders and orders from third-party sellers using Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS). It uses a high-density automated storage and retrieval system that compresses approximately 12 traditional fulfillment steps into about five steps. Walmart said its next-generation fulfillment network can provide next-day or two-day delivery coverage to about 95% of the U.S. population; the volume of WFS shipments made the same day or the next day had previously increased by nearly 150% year over year. The facility will strengthen West Coast fulfillment and distribution capabilities, directly affecting brand sellers, distributors and sellers with U.S.-based inventory that use WFS. It may support faster delivery promises, higher conversion opportunities and less pressure for cross-regional transfers. Sellers still need to reassess inventory allocation, inbound plans, storage fees and peak-season inventory turnover to avoid higher long-term storage costs caused by overstocking.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Walmart has opened a next-generation fulfillment center of about 900,000 square feet in Stockton, California, serving both Walmart.com and WFS third-party seller orders, which may strengthen West Coast fulfillment and distribution. WFS sellers should review inventory allocation, inbound plans and delivery promises, while avoiding overstocking that could increase long-term storage costs.
What should sellers do now?
- 1This week, reorganize inventory allocation and inbound plans for key U.S. SKUs using WFS. Considering the next-day or two-day delivery coverage reaching about 95% of the U.S. population, complete an SKU-level replenishment and transfer list.Restock planner
- 2This week, review peak-season inventory turnover for WFS brand and distributor stores. Mark overstocked, slow-moving and replenishment-needed products by SKU, and create an actionable inventory risk list to avoid rising long-term storage costs.Inventory turnover