Selling to Big Box Retail Stores: Strategies for Back to School Success at Staples, Walmart, and Marketplaces 

As summer ends and the back to school season begins, businesses have a prime opportunity to get their products into big box retail stores like Staples and Walmart and onto various online marketplaces.  

To succeed in a competitive market, you need to not only stay on top of back to school trends, but also develop the right marketing and logistics strategies for your business. From retail marketing for the back to school season to figuring out how to meet demand without overstocking or stockouts, there are multiple considerations to address. These include ensuring compliance with each retailer's specific requirements, optimizing inventory management, and integrating seamlessly with retailer platforms for efficient order processing and fulfillment.  

Planning and executing your expansion into these selling channels can be daunting. To help you get started, we’ve put together this guide, taking you through the strategies and insights you need to successfully place your products in major retail outlets. 

The back to school shopping experience now spans both eCommerce and brick-and-mortar stores. Each has unique advantages: 

• eCommerce: Online channels offer customers convenience and a broader product selection. If you’re planning to sell on Amazon and other marketplaces, ensure a robust online presence and efficient fulfillment processes to meet customer expectations. 

• Brick-and-Mortar: Selling in-store provides customers with a tactile shopping experience. To make sure you stand out, you’ll need to place products strategically for maximum visibility. 

Big box retail stores like Walmart and Staples are prime destinations for back-to-school shopping. These stores offer a wide range of products, from school supplies to electronics and apparel, attracting millions of shoppers each year. Getting your products on their shelves can significantly boost your sales and brand visibility. 

But as a distributor, you’ll need to meet distinct shipping and delivery requirements. Managing these can be complex, especially since each retailer will have their own stringent guidelines.  

Effective logistics management is essential when dealing with big box stores due to their high-volume orders and strict delivery schedules. Here’s what you need to consider before you get your products into stores like Walmart and Staples: 

• Understand Vendor Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the retailer’s product standards, pricing, and compliance regulations. 

• Apply to Become a Supplier: Use the retailer’s supplier portal to submit an application with detailed business and product information. 

• Prepare for EDI Compliance: Big box stores such as Walmart often require Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) for transactions, automating order fulfillment. 

• Focus on Inventory Management: Implement robust systems to meet retailers’ demand and avoid delays. 

Just like big box stores, selling on marketplaces like Amazon or niche platforms requires careful planning: 

• Optimize Product Listings: Do your research to ensure that the products you sell are visible in online searches, using relevant keywords like “selling back to school products” and “marketplace selling strategies” to find the right terms. When you do list your products online, make sure you post high-quality images and detailed product descriptions. 

• Manage Inventory Efficiently: Track stock levels with inventory management software to prevent overselling. 

• Leverage Marketplace Advertising: Invest in targeted ads on platforms like Amazon to boost visibility and sales. 

Come up with an effective marketing strategy that captures the attention of parents and students: 

• Create Compelling Promotions: Offer discounts and bundles to attract customers and highlight these in your campaigns. 

• Utilize Social Media: Engage with your audience by sharing back to school tips and product highlights. 

• Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers who cater to parents and students to boost credibility and reach. 

Efficient inventory management is essential for a successful back to school campaign. To prevent overstocking and stockouts, make sure you: 

• Implement Just-In-Time Inventory: Align production schedules with demand forecasts to reduce storage costs and prevent stockouts. 

• Use Technology for Real-Time Tracking: Invest in software for real-time stock level tracking to respond quickly to demand changes. 

• Plan for Seasonal Demand: Analyze past sales data to adjust inventory levels for increased demand. 

Shipping freight to big box stores involves strict guidelines, and navigating the logistics of these channels can be challenging. How should your business manage shipping schedules, compliance requirements, and inventory management challenges?  

Here’s how to align your logistics with retailer requirements: 

• Study Shipping Guidelines: Follow their guidelines closely, including working with preferred carriers, attending training sessions, and submitting shipments through their portal. 

• Avoid Common Pitfalls: Penalties may arise from not following instructions, missing delivery windows, or using incorrect documentation. Ensure accuracy and adherence to each retailer’s requirements. 

• Be Prepared for Accessorial Fees: Additional fees can occur for weekend deliveries, detention, or missing packing lists. Plan for these extra costs. 

• Ensure Accurate and Timely Deliveries: Big box stores may decline shipments that don’t match documentation or arrive outside the delivery window. Maintain accuracy and timeliness to avoid issues. 

• Partner with a Reputable 3PL: A third-party logistics provider can help manage carriers, ensure compliance, provide shipment tracking, handle reverse logistics, and scale operations as needed. 

Failing to adhere to the stringent guidelines of big box stores and marketplaces can have severe consequences, including declined shipments, repackaging costs, and lost business. Penalties for non-compliance are common, such as: 

1. Form Strategic Alliances: Seek symbiotic relationships with retailers that align with your business goals, production capacity, and mission. 

2. Emphasize Compliance: Make compliance a priority by hiring dedicated staff or adopting necessary software to meet packaging, labeling, and shipping requirements. 

3. Develop a Robust Technology Framework: Ensure your technology infrastructure can integrate with retailer platforms, providing visibility into the supply chain and managing orders efficiently. 

Conclusion 

Successfully selling your back to school products in big box retail stores and online marketplaces requires a strategic approach to logistics, inventory management, and marketing. 

By understanding retail trends, meeting vendor requirements, and optimizing your supply chain, you can position your brand for success in this competitive market. Implement these strategies now to capitalize on the back to school season and drive your sales. 

For help navigating and meeting retailer demands, partner with an experienced 3PL provider that understands the ins and outs of shipping to big box retailers. From freight to warehousing and fulfillment, last mile delivery, and marketplace enablement, eShipper brings you a thoughtfully designed infrastructure of solutions that can help you achieve your goals and supercharge your growth. Contact us to get started and make this year’s back to school season your most lucrative one yet.