Walmart puts Amazon in the crosshairs …… again

Walmart has been aggressively taking market share from specialty retailers for years, most notably playing a major role in the demise of most computer and electronics superstores. The company has also repeatedly tried to make inroads online. Failed attempts to gain traction have included DVD rentals and music downloads. Then there’s the online store. Walmart management has clearly set its sites on Amazon. Past efforts to take any market share from the mega online retailer have been hit and miss - mostly miss. With a new effort to open its marketplace to outside sellers and offering heath and beauty products online, Walmart is becoming more similar to Amazon. I doubt this latest effort will impact Amazon, but it could grow the Walmart online presence. It’s wise move even if it’s a half vast effort.  Going forward it will be increasing difficult for any retailer to compete without a strong online presence.

Walmart.com has been taking steps to expand its business. In late August, it unveiled “Walmart Marketplace,” which allows select retailers like eBags and CSN Stores to sell merchandise on its website.

“We’ve been in business about nine years now and we’re very pleased with our progress, but we know there is still work we need to do,” Vazquez said.

Walmart.com ranked as the 13th-largest U.S. online seller in 2008, with an estimated $1.74 billion in sales, according to trade publication Internet Retailer. Amazon.com ranked as the No. 1 online seller, with $19.17 billion in sales. (Yahoo)