Even Wal-Mart Is Hoping Aboard The Web - To - Store Bus

This last Tuesday (3/6/07), Wal-Mart Stores rolled out an initial phase of it's Site - to - Store service to about a dozen states, which allows customers to buy merchandise online at walmart.com and pick it up at any store (that is currently participating) for free. The rest of the US stores plan to have this service in place by late summer '07. This is Walmart's first major entry into offering customers a multi-channel shopping experience. The new service gives the Wal-Mart customer access to thousands of items not sold in stores, especially electronic, home, toy, baby and sports items.

"A key advantage of Wal-Mart's online channel is the ability to offer a much larger assortment of products through our virtual shelf space," said Mike Smith, walmart.com's director of store integration.

Site - to - Store not only offers these customers access to thousands of additional online products, but also gives them the added convenience of picking up those items at the store during their weekly shopping trips without paying for shipping.