Wal-Mart tests fee-based unlimited US home deliveries

Retail behemoth Wal-Mart Stores will test a US program to provide unlimited delivery of goods for $50 a year in the coming months, challenging Amazon's similar service.

Under the program, Wal-Mart will ensure delivery of clothing, appliances, toys and other offerings within three days for online customers. The service will not include perishable groceries, Ravi Jariwala, a spokesman for the US retailer, said in a phone interview late Wednesday.

The service will be available by invitation, Jariwala said. He declined to say how the long the trial will last.

The world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart has been building up its online business in the wake of mediocre sales in its home market.

The program competes directly with Amazon's Prime service, which charges $99 a year for limitless delivery on selected products and includes other perks, such as free viewing on Amazon's television and music streaming services.

Jariwala said the Wal-Mart program could be expanded to include a streaming-video component, but that would depend on customer feedback.

Wal-Mart in 2010 acquired Vudu, which distributes movies and television shows on demand via the Internet.