Amazon, Walmart 'lock' up e-commerce deals

NEW YORK — Walmart's e-commerce division is following Amazon's lead by starting programs to allow customers to order items online and then pick them up from lockers stationed at brick-and-mortar retailers.

Amazon has been running such a program for a couple of years in a few major cities, including installing the lockers at Rite Aid stores in cities like New York. The lockers allow customers to select a locker location for delivery and then retrieve ordered items automatically using a six-digit code.

According to reports, Amazon has lately expanded its program into other markets, such as northern New Jersey, while Walmart announced last week that it would test a similar system starting this summer at about 12 stores, though the locations of the stores were not disclosed.