Walmart Rivals Amazon With Free Shipping For A Month

(RTTNews) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is offering a free 30-day trial of its ShippingPass subscription program. In order to better compete with Amazon.com (AMZN), Wal-Mart has introduced the $49-a-year ShippingPass subscription service last year, which gives a user unlimited two-day shipping.

Existing customers having ShippingPass can also take part in the deal - they will be given an extra month for free and will be informed through an email. ShippingPass' price is less than half the price of Amazon's rival Prime subscription service.

Amazon Prime is an annual membership program that costs $99 a year and offers a similar 30-day free trial. Prime members can enjoy unlimited free two-day shipping on more than 30 million items across all product categories.

In addition to fast, free shipping, Prime members have access to unlimited streaming of movies and TV episodes, songs, and curated playlists as well as stations with Prime Music.

Wal-Mart said ShippingPass customers can take advantage of its low prices and fast shipping with the added benefits of no minimum order requirements and free online or in-store returns.

Wal-Mart's rollbacks typically last 90 days or longer while supplies last. According to the company, starting July 1 and in the following weeks, customers will be able to see some amazing items at great prices kicking in.

"In the spirit of Independence Day, the prices we'll be offering will be available for anybody: Liberty and Low Prices for All," Wal-Mart said.

The retail giant also said it will be introducing new ways to connect its app, site and store for customers in the coming weeks.

In early June, Wal-Mart said it will test a grocery delivery service with ride-sharing services Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. within the next two weeks in Denver and Phoenix.