Wal-Mart unveils free shipping of online items

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Wal-Mart Stores on Tuesday announced it is rolling out a new incentive program that offers customers free shipping of products bought on the retailer's Web site for pick up at its stores.

The world's largest retailer, which continues to struggle with slowing sales and traffic trends at its Wal-Mart stores, said the "Site to Store" program is designed to give "customers another way to shop Wal-Mart's products and values, both in stores and online."

In recent years, Wal-Mart has pursued a more upscale strategy for its online division by selling better quality and more pricey products such as cashmere clothing and name-brand electronics sold exclusively on the site.

The company said products bought on walmart.com typically arrive at the store within seven to 10 business days and customers will be alerted about the delivery via e-mail.

Wal-Mart (Charts) said it has rolled out the service to more than 750 stores and plans to introduce the service to more than 3,300 stores by late summer.

Wal-Mart, Target (Charts), Costco (Charts) and other chain stores are expected to report their February sales Thursday.

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