Walmart expands price match to online competitors in L.A.-area

Walmart today announced plans to expand its competitive price-matching campaign to the online arena, but only in the greater Los Angeles area.

Customers will be able to show Walmart store managers the advertised product on their mobile device to receive the match, according to the company announcement. The offer only applies to items that are in stock at the competing retailer.

The pilot campaign, which began on Monday, expands on Walmart’s pledge to match competing prices advertised in print, and will be honored at stores in the following cities:

Cerritos, Anaheim, Westminster, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Buena Park, Anaheim, Paramount, Lakewood, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Los Angeles, La Habra, Torrance, Rosemead, Norwalk

The move comes after Walmart reported a profit of $3.3 billion, or 96 cents a share, for the three months ending Oct. 31. That figure was down 2.9%, or 95 cents, from $3.4 billion a year earlier. The results were 2 cents below analysts’ expectations.

____________________________

FOR THE RECORD: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated Walmart reported flat sales in November.

____________________________

In a statement, Kim Sentovich, senior vice president of operations for Walmart U.S., said the company was rolling out the online campaign in the Los Angeles area “as an added convenience so customers can rest assured they will get the best prices.”

ALSO:

L.A. Times Editorial: Level the retail playing field

Retail sales rises for sixth straight month

-- Jason Wells, Times Community News

Twitter: @JasonBretWells

Photo: Customers leave Wal-Mart in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles. Credit: Scott Harrison, Los Angeles Times