NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Wal-Mart announced free online shipping Thursday on 60,000 holiday items with no minimum purchase required, a significant move that's likely to rattle its competitors in the crucial year-end sales race to Christmas.
Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500), the world's largest retailer, said the offer is valid now through Dec. 20 at Walmart.com and includes all electronics except iPods and iPads, select video games, toys, home appliances, furniture, baby products, jewelry and other items.
Target trots out $3 appliances on Black Friday
Some of the items covered by the offer: a Sony Bravia 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $898, an HP Garden Dreams 14.5-inch Pavilion Special Edition Laptop with Windows 7 for $598 and the Sony Handycam 4GB Flash Memory Camcorder for $249.
Wal-Mart said the new initiatives, which includes free return shipping as well, is designed to complement its "Site to Store Program", which provides free shipping to a Wal-Mart store on items purchased online.
Consumers should be aware of other exceptions to the free shipping program.
Wal-Mart said the offer is not valid on tires and shipping surcharges may still apply in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500), the world's largest retailer, said the offer is valid now through Dec. 20 at Walmart.com and includes all electronics except iPods and iPads, select video games, toys, home appliances, furniture, baby products, jewelry and other items.
Target trots out $3 appliances on Black Friday
Some of the items covered by the offer: a Sony Bravia 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $898, an HP Garden Dreams 14.5-inch Pavilion Special Edition Laptop with Windows 7 for $598 and the Sony Handycam 4GB Flash Memory Camcorder for $249.
Wal-Mart said the new initiatives, which includes free return shipping as well, is designed to complement its "Site to Store Program", which provides free shipping to a Wal-Mart store on items purchased online.
Consumers should be aware of other exceptions to the free shipping program.
Wal-Mart said the offer is not valid on tires and shipping surcharges may still apply in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
