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New York • Walmart is testing a same-day delivery service in select markets for customers who buy popular items online during the holiday shopping season.
The move comes as the world's largest retailer faces increasing competition from online giants like Amazon.com., which is testing same-day delivery service in 10 markets. The discounter is trying to cater to Web-savvy shoppers who are demanding more convenience.
Walmart's tests started this month in northern Virginia and Philadelphia. The program rolled out to Minneapolis on Tuesday. Walmart plans to test the service in San Francisco and San Jose, Calif., later this month or in early November.
The program builds on a same-day grocery delivery launch in April 2010 in San Jose, followed by a test in San Francisco over the past year.
About 5,000 general merchandise items, including flat-panel TVs, toys and Apple iPads, will be available for same-day shipping. The delivery charge is $10 for an unlimited number of items, with no minimum purchase. For those who live in San Francisco and San Jose, shoppers will be required to have a minimum order of $45.