Business

Published: 19 May 2009 17:25:37 PST

SAN FRANCISCO, May 19 – Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on
Tuesday it is expanding its assortment of hot electronics, like
Blu-ray DVD players and high-definition TVs, and freshening the
look of its 3,500 U.S. electronics departments as the retailer
seeks to grab market share.

In its U.S. discount stores, Walmart is increasing its
selection of wireless products 30 percent, adding more cellular and
smart phone merchandise. It is also adding more Blu-ray players and
movies, and will be selling a $198 Philips Blu-ray Disc Player in
most stores this week.

In addition, Wal-Mart is adding a new display center that will
allow customers to try out its various laptop brands.

“We’ve made a number of significant changes in the last three
years to raise the bar in our offerings and gain consumer
confidence and trust as an electronics destination,” said Gary
Severson, senior vice president of home entertainment, in a
statement, “and we have every intention of keeping that pace with
continued improvements in service and assortment.”

While many U.S. electronics retailers have cut staff, closed
stores or gone out of business, Walmart has gained market share by
expanding its selection of name-brand consumer electronics while
also trying to beat the competition on price.

It is now stepping up its efforts to appeal to shoppers as
other consumer electronics retailers, including Amazon.com Inc and
Best Buy Co Inc, try to win the business of customers who used to
shop Circuit City, which closed earlier this year.