Wal-Mart wants to create ‘web mall’ to fend off Amazon online

Stores have long tried to figure out a way to do battle with Amazon and Wal-Mart may have found a solution.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, is in the final stages of creating a partnership with a department store. Wal-Mart is looking to complete an online deal with department store Lord & Taylor, The Wall Street Journal reports.

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The deal between Wal-Mart and Lord & Taylor would likely give the department store a dedicated spot on WalMart.com, according to WSJ. The idea would be to create something of an online mall, accessible through Wal-Mart’s website.

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Men’s clothing company Bonobos and online store Jet.com, which are both owned by Wal-Mart, could also eventually be included in the website that could serve as an “anti-Amazon” coalition, according to WSJ.

Both Amazon and Wal-Mart have made pushes in recent years to work more closely with department stores and fashion brands.

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Wal-Mart bought Jet.com last year and then purchased online properties Moosejaw, Bonobos and ShoeBuy, while Amazon over the years has reached agreements with Nike, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade and Levi Strauss, according to WSJ.

Amazon also recently purchased grocer Whole Foods and the company has a partnership in place that allows customers to return Amazon products at several Kohl’s department stores. Most recently, Amazon began selling some of its smart home products, such as its Echo Dot voice assistant, in at least 10 Kohl’s stores.

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