Wal-Mart Could Launch Digital Video Downloads

Wal-Mart, the giant US retailer, is to launch a digital video download service, according to a report in today’s Financial Times.

The report says that Wal-Mart has published job advertisements for a business manager to head what is described as a new digital video category at Walmart.com.

No details are given in the advertisement of when Wal-Mart will launch the service, although the FT believes that the placing of the ads indicates that technical parameters and at least a basic outline of its business plan must be in place.

The FT remarked that Wal-Mart is currently placing significant investment in the growth of its digital presence, upgrading its music download site and offering its first digital video download in a link with Janet Jackson’s new album.

Meanwhile, Apple has unveiled its own movie download service (see Apple Takes On The Movie Market), which, if coupled with a soon to be launched Apple device, will allow viewers to watch the downloaded videos on their TVs.

Wal-Mart: www.walmart.com