Wal-Mart to Sell Contacts, Launch ‘Equate’ Brand

Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) will begin selling contact lenses online and by phone as the retail giant expands its eye-care offerings.

The company, which is also making contact lenses available to Sam’s Club members, will launch its own contacts brand, Equate, in February. Free shipping will be offered for Wal-Mart orders over $50 and  Sam’s Club orders over $45.

Wal-Mart said independent optometrists currently have offices next to more than 3,000 Wal-Mart Vision Centers and Sam's Club Optical Centers.

“This new contact lens program, coupled with our in-store Vision Centers and in-club Optical Centers, provides our customers with a true one stop vision solution,” John Agwunobi, president of the company’s Health and Wellness Division, said in a statement.

Wal-Mart shares rose $0.13, or 0.19%, to $68.70 in early morning trading Thursday.