Exclusive: Walmart reveals how it fights fakes on Marketplace

Walmart is publicly disclosing its efforts to police its third-party Marketplace, which lists over 500 million items, to block counterfeit goods and ensure consumer safety. The move comes as lawmakers and regulators increase scrutiny of online marketplaces. The Federal Trade Commission recently called on Walmart and Amazon to crack down on sellers making false "Made in USA" claims. Walmart's Marketplace is backed by an enforcement system designed to proactively block fake goods and root out bad actors. The company's senior vice president of Marketplace, Manish Joneja, emphasized the importance of customer trust and integrity in e-commerce. Walmart's efforts include seller vetting, pre-listing protections, and AI-driven monitoring of product listings for policy compliance. The company acknowledges that counterfeit items make up a small minority of goods sold on marketplaces, but their impact can be significant. Walmart is collaborating with law enforcement agencies and industry associations to combat the issue. The company's proactive and reactive defenses are constantly evolving to stay ahead of bad actors. By being transparent about its efforts, Walmart aims to maintain customer trust and integrity in its Marketplace.