Walmart.com provides link for subscription-delivery service signup

Walmart.com has unveiled a signup link for consumers wanting to try to the subscription-based delivery service the retailer plans to test this summer. Follow the link, enter your email and zip code information and then wait for an invitation from Walmart.com.

The retail giant said last week its unlimited delivery service will cost $50 annually and guarantee the home delivery for more than 1 million general merchandise items within up to three days.

Ravi Jariwala, corporate spokesman for Walmart.com, said this test comes as a result of consumer demand as the retail seeks to give its customers another option for their online orders. He said this beta test will be by invitation only.

Wal-Mart’s delivery policy includes free shipping for most orders valued at more than $50. It is also provides for in-store pickup at more than 4,000 U.S. locations at no extra charge.

This new subscription-based delivery service dubbed "Tahoe" is similar on the surface to competitor Amazon’s Prime service which cost $99 annually. Retail experts said the two services are quite different, at least at this early juncture for Walmart.com.

Prime guarantees delivery within two days. It’s Prime Now for residents in New York City can get free delivery in just two hours. Prime also provides free video streaming for its subscribers and is a launching board for other services such as Prime Dash, which is an automatic shipping program and Prime Fresh which covers grocery in select markets for annual subscription upcharge of $299.

Jariwala said for now the Walmart.com service does not provide any additional services beyond the unlimited delivery for online order.