Walmart VP On How Gucci Wallets & Apple Refurbs Drive Marketplace Growth | Seller Summit Exclusive

Welcome back, everyone.

This is Omnitok Retail, live from the Walmart Sellers Summit here in sunny San Diego.

I'm Anne Mazinga.

And I'm Chris Walton.

And standing between us, we have our next guest, we have Michael Mosser, the VP of Walmart Marketplace categories.

Michael, welcome.

Thank you so much.

I'm so excited to have you.

It's great to be here.

You and Chris already warmed up on stage today.

We did.

We go way back.

We did a little bit, but I didn't actually get to ask him.

The question I want to start, which we ask all of our guests really is, what is your background and your role at Walmart like?

Let's talk about it.

Yeah, for sure.

My pleasure.

So, yeah, today I have the privilege of leading the category team for the marketplace.

So what that really means is it's think of it as the merchandising organization.

So we think about the overall assortment strategy for the marketplace, what we're going to be bringing to our customers.

And then my team also manages all the relationships that we have with our seller and seller community, which are the fundamental part in the lifeblood of the marketplace.

So overall, that's what the categories.

Well, customers right now are going to Walmart, Michael, for.

For every single thing possible, myself included.

What are some of the key categories, though, that you and your team are looking to expand?

I love that question.

And it's really all the things.

So we think about our overall yes and right.

It is.

It's definitely a yes.

And we think about having all of the products that our customers need, want and love.

And we think about that across all categories from everyday household essentials.

When you think about the things that you need, you think about the wants, which are those coveted must have items like we talked about earlier today, Chris, with enthusiast categories, and then those things that you love, which are kind of the surprise and delight.

Oh, I didn't know I could find that.

Or the perfect gift or things like that.

Yeah, right.

We're working to bring all of that assortment to life on the marketplace for our customers.

So they have this vibrant selection and assortment to choose from.

They can always go to Walmart.

That's right.

Especially with Walmart plus now at their fingertips too.

All right, so Michael, I want to dig into the details a little bit though.

I want to get a little more retail wonky here with you.

So, you know, 1P is also an important part of the assortment too.

So.

So how do you think about the 1P versus the marketplace assortment and how do you balance those two in Your day to day job?

Yeah, it's a great question also because Walmart is somewhat unique that way.

It really all starts with the customer.

Chris.

So we work really closely with 1Pmerchants to figure out what's the right assortment to have to serve our customer best on the platform.

And then we work together in that overall assortment strategy and assortment planning.

We think about product categories also where we might have limited space in our stores.

So saw earlier today there was a presentation with a washer that we have now in stores where you can buy those items, have them delivered to home and installed with hallway services, things like that.

We don't have the room to have a bunch of washers and dryers and refrigerators and things like that in our stores.

But that's a selection that we can offer customers in the marketplace.

So we look at those sorts of things.

And then also you heard the talk about shipping 3P tires to stores.

So it just brings that breadth of selection and more choices for customers.

So we work with the 1Pmerchants really closely on making sure we've got a unified assortment strategy so we can deliver everything our customers are looking for.

Well, again, speaking of everything that your customers are looking for, one of the things that I love most that I just sent my husband a link to actually last night for my early birthday present is a Gucci wallet.

Because of your partnership with Rebag.

Wow, it's good gift.

I don't know if I'm going to get it but I just, I sent him the link.

Subtle hint.

Yes, never hurts.

But let's talk about Rebag.

Let's talk about StockX and other like refurbished items, resaleable items that are on the Walmart marketplace and why that's kind of a driver for future growth for you.

Yeah.

So I love the resold assortment overall because it does a few things.

First of all, it allows a more accessible price point, entry point for great brands.

You can buy restored Apple iPhones or you can buy restored computers or laptops.

And as we have kids who are going to school and it feels like every year they need a new laptop, restored offers that price point accessibility.

So that's one of the things that I really love about it.

The other thing is like you mentioned the Gucci wallet.

Right.

So resold allows us to bring that coveted like one of a kind vintage item that you really love.

If you think about it in terms of pre loved luxury fashion or in terms of collectibles, those items are often pre owned.

And so having this pre owned assortment, you know, also creates that Opportunity to pick up those pre owned items and the last thing too also, you know, Walmart has a huge commitment to sustainability and so having resold products brings that sustainability commitment to life as well.

How is the customer mindset shifted then to prioritize kind of seeking out some of those items too?

Yeah, it's, it's really looking at all of the things.

Right.

So I think it depends on the customer's purchase, you know, purchase path.

So are they looking to buy something for their, you know, for their kid, for school?

Are they looking to, you know, get that next new, you know, new item, new technology, latest and greatest, might purchase something new.

So I think it kind of just depends on the customer's mindset and what they're looking for.

But our objective is to have everything that you might want.

So whether it's pre owned or brand new.

Right.

I imagine there's some serendipitous discovery for the Walmart customer too in terms of going on searching for some of these brands and then finding them on Walmart.com too.

That's got to be a piece of it.

Yeah, that's right.

You know, for me too, like I've been thinking about, like I just, I never thought about till you just said it, like getting a computer for my son for his birthday on Walmart.com a refurbished Apple that might do that.

I might hit that up.

Michael.

Know what I do, We've got a great program.

So for the holidays, you know, the holidays are right around the corner.

God knows when they even start anymore.

Let's say, let's say a month and a half away, right.

I don't know when they start.

Right.

I don't know.

Yeah, right.

Depending on how you want to look at it and how you want to think about it.

But what I think, I'm curious because you have a unique vantage point given your role.

What are some of the key categories or trends you're expecting to pop this holiday season?

I think there's a couple of things.

So first of all, you know, I think customers are always looking for great value.

And so that's not necessarily something new for holiday, but it definitely applies in holiday.

Right.

So we're going to have more deals, more great value, great items for customers to pick up as they're doing their holiday shopping.

The other thing too is I think more and more people are looking for that special gift for folks.

So something that's unique, that they really shows that they put the thought into it.

So when we go back to that Gucci wallet or that pre owned selection that we have, having those items available for customers.

And then there's always toys and the latest trends that we see in the toys.

A lot of great things happen in there, too.

All right.

So exciting.

Well, Michael, thank you so much for taking the time with us.

Yeah, it's been my pleasure.

Yes.

Thanks for having me for joining Chris on stage.

We can't wait to get that out to all of you.

Yeah.

Right.

It was great to see you.

The live recording will be out shortly.

Thank you again to all of you for joining us to Walmart, for hosting us here at the Walmart Seller Summit.

And stay tuned.

We have so much more coming your way today.

And until then, be careful out there.