WFS vs FBA: A Seller's Complete Comparison
With Walmart's marketplace growing rapidly, sellers are asking: should I be on both platforms? Here's a data-driven comparison.
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | Walmart WFS | Amazon FBA |
|---|---|---|
| Fulfillment (1 lb) | $3.45 | $3.86 |
| Fulfillment (2 lb) | $4.95 | $4.08 |
| Fulfillment (5 lb) | $6.45 | $5.76 |
| Storage (Jan–Sep) | $0.75/ft³ | $0.87/ft³ |
| Storage (Oct–Dec) | $0.75/ft³ | $2.40/ft³ |
| Long-term storage | After 365 days | After 181 days |
| Referral fee | 8–15% | 8–15% |
| Returns processing | Included | Category-dependent |
Marketplace Comparison
| Factor | Walmart | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly unique visitors | 120M+ | 200M+ |
| Active marketplace sellers | 150,000+ | 2M+ |
| Competition per listing | Low–Medium | Very High |
| Advertising cost (CPC) | $0.30–$0.80 | $0.80–$2.50 |
| Customer demographics | Value-oriented, families | Broad, Prime-focused |
| Growth rate | 30%+ YoY | 10–15% YoY |
Profitability Analysis
Product: $25 retail, 1 lb standard size
| Component | Walmart WFS | Amazon FBA |
|---|---|---|
| Selling price | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Referral fee (15%) | -$3.75 | -$3.75 |
| Fulfillment fee | -$3.45 | -$3.86 |
| Storage (monthly) | -$0.35 | -$0.45 |
| Advertising | -$1.50 | -$3.00 |
| Net margin | $15.95 | $13.94 |
The Case for Both Platforms
The savviest sellers are on both platforms:
- Diversify revenue streams
- Lower overall advertising costs
- Higher total sales volume
- Reduced dependency on one marketplace
Shipping to Both Platforms
Using a single freight broker for both WFS and FBA inbound shipments simplifies your logistics and can reduce costs through consolidated shipping.
Contact Indray for multi-platform fulfillment logistics.
