Walmart PO Numbers & NOVA Tool: The Ultimate Supplier Guide

Strong Purchase Order (PO) management helps suppliers maintain smooth operations and build reliable relationships with major retailers like Walmart. PO errors can lead to shipment delays, invoicing issues, and costly deductions. 

This guide breaks down everything suppliers need to know about,

• Walmart PO numbers
• How to manage them effectively
• How tools like iNymbus simplify deduction recovery through automation

What is a Walmart PO Number?

A Walmart PO number is a unique identifier assigned to every purchase order issued by Walmart. A Walmart PO number is 7 to 9 digits long and acts as a key reference at every step, from shipping goods to sending invoices and resolving payment issues.

Using the correct PO number on an invoice and shipping documents helps suppliers avoid payment delays and reconciliation issues.

Types of Walmart Purchase Orders

Walmart issues several types of POs, each serving a specific business function:

• Manual POs: Created directly in NOVA, usually for urgent or non-repeating needs.
• System-Generated POs: Sent via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to integrated suppliers regularly.
• Special POs: For promotional, staple stock, or Direct Store Delivery (DSD) scenarios

Where to Find Walmart PO Numbers

Suppliers can locate Walmart PO numbers in multiple places:

• Retail Link: Under the Order Management section or the NOVA tab.
• EDI Feeds: For system-integrated suppliers using EDI 850 documents.
• Email Notifications: Sent by Walmart buyers for manual or emergency POs.

It’s critical to reference the latest and correct PO number when preparing shipments and invoices.

Introducing Walmart NOVA: The PO Management Tool

NOVA (New Order Visibility Application) is Walmart’s built-in PO management tool available on Retail Link. Designed for approved suppliers, NOVA gives you full control and visibility over your purchase orders — all in one place.

With NOVA, you can:

• Manually create, edit, or cancel purchase orders
• Check PO status, quantities, and delivery windows at a glance
• Export PO data to Excel for internal tracking
• Quickly search by item number, PO number, status, or ship date

Who Can Use NOVA — And Why It Matters

Access:
NOVA is available exclusively to Walmart-approved suppliers who have Retail Link access.

Key Benefits of NOVA:

• Track POs in real time: Always know the status, routing, and expected delivery of your orders.
• Catch issues early: Spot PO errors — like cancellations or quantity mismatches — before they lead to deductions.
• See item-level detail: Drill down to specific SKUs for accurate order fulfillment.
• Streamline logistics: Plan shipping with up-to-date PO info.
• Strengthen disputes: Use NOVA data to support deduction recovery efforts effectively.

How to Access NOVA on Retail Link

1. Log in to Retail Link

• Visit Retail Link and sign in with your supplier credentials.

2. Request Access to NOVA

• Go to the Apps section and search for “Additional Access Request”.
• For edit access, reach out to your Replenishment Manager with your User ID and Vendor Number(s) to request permission.

• Once access is approved (usually within 24 hours), search for “NOVA” in the Apps menu and pin it for quick access.

4. Launch and Use NOVA
Click on the NOVA icon and begin using:

• Choose to manage Walmart or Sam’s Club POs
• Search using simple or advanced filters
• View, download, and manage PO details from a centralized dashboard

Why NOVA Is Crucial for Deduction Recovery

Using NOVA regularly helps suppliers stay one step ahead of common Walmart deduction codes like 22 (No Invoice Received), 25 (Invoice/PO Mismatch), or 30 (Late Shipment). By catching discrepancies early, you can prevent these issues from escalating into costly deductions.

Common Walmart PO-Related Deductions

Incorrect or missing PO numbers are a frequent cause of deductions. Here are the most common ones:

• Code 22 – Merchandise Not Received
  Occurs when Walmart doesn’t receive the full quantity tied to a PO.
• Code 25 – No PO on Invoice
  Triggered when the invoice doesn’t reference a valid Walmart PO number.
  
• Code 30 – PO Quantity Shortage
  Happens when the shipped quantity is less than what was ordered on the PO.

Review PO details regularly to catch outdated, cancelled, or mismatched PO numbers before they trigger Walmart deduction codes.

Best Practices for Managing Walmart PO Numbers

To minimize the risk of errors and deductions:

• Validate every PO before shipping.
  Double-check quantities, item numbers, and shipping windows to ensure accuracy. Mistakes at this stage often lead to costly deduction codes.
  
  
• Reference accurate PO numbers on all documents.
  Use the correct PO on invoices, ASNs, and packing lists. Mismatches between documents can trigger automatic chargebacks from Walmart.
  
  
• Use NOVA regularly to track changes or cancellations.
  NOVA alerts you to PO status updates in real time. Reviewing changes proactively can help avoid shipping on canceled or altered POs.
  
  
• Avoid shipping against expired POs or altered terms.
  Shipping against outdated or modified purchase orders increases the risk of rejections and non-payment. Always confirm the current PO status.
  
  
• Keep your team aligned with Retail Link and EDI updates.
  Use EDI and Retail Link to inform all departments of changes. Consistent communication avoids internal errors and improves compliance.

iNymbus: Streamline Walmart PO Error Handling

Even with the best efforts, PO-related deductions can still slip through. That’s where iNymbus automation plays a key role:

• Automatically pulls PO data from Walmart’s systems to match against deductions
• Flags missing or invalid PO numbers in claims
• Upload supporting documents (ASN, purchase Order, and Invoice) during dispute filing
• Speeds up dispute resolution for Codes 22, 25, and 30
• Reduces manual effort, improves visibility, and recovers revenue faster

Suppliers with many Walmart orders can use iNymbus to cut manual work and recover deductions faster.

iNymbus also strengthens Walmart deduction management by automating dispute filing and improving claim accuracy.

Conclusion

Walmart PO numbers may seem like a small detail, but they carry huge weight when it comes to avoiding supply chain disruptions and deductions. Tools like NOVA give suppliers more control over manual POs, while platforms like iNymbus ensure deduction recovery stays fast, accurate, and automated.

Facing challenges with Walmart PO-related deductions? Discover how iNymbus can optimize your deduction recovery process through automation and accuracy.