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The world's largest retailer said it tripled its online
selections for the holiday season to 60 million items, and that
it would provide free two-day shipping on more than two million
products when the order size exceeds $35. It said it would also
offer discounts for online orders picked up at its stores.
The company said its stores and website would offer more
exclusive products from companies such as appliance maker
Cuisinart and audio equipment maker Bose.
The plans were announced at a media briefing to outline
Wal-Mart's strategy for the November and December holiday
shopping season, an important period for retailers during which
they earn an outsized portion of their annual profits and sales.
Steve Bratspies, chief merchandising officer at Wal-Mart said
the retailer would offer "thousands of rollbacks" or reduced
prices across products that would include lower prices on 400
toys from brands like Lego and Nerf.
"We are buying as much inventory as we think we can handle and
sell ... we think we are in a really strong position," Bratspies
said.
Bratspies said that for the third consecutive year the retailer
would focus more on discounts and offering the lowest prices on
items instead of gimmicky product deals, as customers expect
more consistent pricing.
Wal-Mart will hold more than 20,000 holiday events at its stores
where shoppers can test and try top-selling items, chief
marketing officer Tony Rogers said, adding that the company was
investing heavily in improving the shopping experience at its
stores.
(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Chicago)
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