Friday, October 30, 2009

Walmart caters to all your needs....


Sienna Bronze Casket, available at Walmart.com
Photograph by: Handout, Walmart.com
SAN FRANCISCO - Wal-Mart Stores Inc is now catering to its shoppers' needs from cradle to grave.

The world's largest retailer has introduced online sales of caskets, expanding a merchandise selection that spans engagement rings and baby gear to a new major milestone in its shoppers' lives.

Shoppers can choose from the Lady de Guadalupe steel casket for $895 or a sienna bronze casket for $2,899.00.

Walmart.com spokesman Ravi Jariwala said it is selling the products as a "limited beta test" that launched within the last few weeks.

Wal-Mart has been revamping its merchandise selection in stores and online to expand into categories it believes have high potential for growth.

The funeral service industry generates $11 billion in revenue a year, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. In 2007, the association said the U.S. death rate was 8.0 people per thousand, and that is expected to rise to 9.3 people per thousand by the year 2020.

The caskets do not qualify for Walmart.com's free site-to-store shipping program, where shoppers can buy an item online and have it shipped to a local store for free.

Instead, the website says the caskets require freight delivery to the shopper's preferred address. The estimated shipping cost for the sienna bronze casket is $99.

Competitor Costco Wholesale Corp already sells caskets online.

7 comments:

Chessie (Chesshirecat) said...

Really? Is this a joke? Come on...REALLY?

I guess I had better order mine now, put it in the attic, let my family all know where to find it in case of an emergency....

You never know, in fact I DO KNOW, my family would buy me a pine box, figuring the concrete thing the box goes into would be enough.

Frankly, just do me a favor and cremate me....I'm lighter to travel that way, and I still want to see New Zealand.

MeanDonnaJean said...

I saw that, and I got SOOO excited about it! But seein' as tho I'm goin' the charcoal route, I was more interested in their urns.

Ain't it sad how death is the only thing that excites me.

It's just a shame tho that ya can't walk into the store 'n try 'em on for size. I'd be first in line, just for the helluvit! ;-)

Rob said...

I am hoping to be stuffed and put on the wall with my long lost rat terrier.

Voegtli said...

I will not need such a fancy thing. Because I want to be cremated. And those luxury coffins would be a treat to the environment when it is burned with all that stuff. And then, I hope to live still many, many years. And then, perhaps, a rubbish bag would be sufficient for me anyway.

bikerted said...

Would you buy a matress without testing it first? Remember a casket has got to last a deathtime so it needs to be comfortable. Remember try before you buy :o)

GMG said...

Hi Baron! I’m back home and happy to come here!! But a bit concerned with the topic... ;)) Anyhow, Walmart has it all... ;))

Meanwhile Blogtrotter is showing you an old castle village in Lycia. Enjoy and have a great week!

Mediterranean Turkish Cook said...

At least they sell them online, so people do not get to see the coffins when shopping for everyday items at Walmart!