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Wal-Mart Cuts Prices to Boost Holiday Sales

Second big cut as store tries to woo back low-income shoppers

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 18, 2007 2:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Wal-Mart is slashing prices on 15,000 more items this week in an effort to capture sales during the holiday shopping season, Reuters reported today. The nation's largest retailer reduced prices two weeks ago on popular toys, and has now discounted 20% more items than in the previous holiday season. New discounts go beyond the toy department to home and apparel items.

Wal-Mart is aggressively using the holiday season to try to take back shoppers either claimed by low-cost internet retail or alienated after the store attempted to sell more upscale products, a move that backfired with its lowest-price-possible core constituency. Today's cuts might not be the end, either—Wal-Mart says further savings are on the horizon.

A Wal-Mart semi-truck heads down a highway Monday, March 20, 2006, in Salt Lake City. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007 increased its third-quarter earnings... (Associated Press)

(FILES)The front of a Wal-Mart Store is seen 22 September 2006... (Getty Images (by Event))

OTC weight loss drugs, different angle ((c) Clean Wal-Mart)

A shopper at a Walmart in North Fayette, Pa., loads her purchases into her car on in this Jan 4, 2007 file photo. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007 increased... (Associated Press)

Customers shop for shoes at a Wal-Mart store, Monday, Aug. 13, 2007 in Niles, Ill. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported a 49 percent increase in second-quarter profits, but the world's largest retailer cut its... (Associated Press)

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Wal-Mart Cuts Prices to Boost Holiday Sales

Second big cut as store tries to woo back low-income shoppers

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