Wal-Mart has opened two shops in California malls which will test the concept of showcasing online merchandize. When shoppers visit these stores, they can Shoppers sit down with a laptop and shop a vast array of products on the chain's website.

Walmart.com test stores hint at Web shopping fight

Two tiny Walmart.com stores are making Southern California malls their home for the holidays, launching the latest salvo in the war for online retail dominance.

The temporary stores are a first for Wal-Mart Stores Inc, which experiments with store concepts in various markets hoping they will drive shoppers to its website.

The world's biggest retailer already operates stores within miles of the temporary Walmart.com locations, where shoppers can purchase items from the shelves or sit down with a laptop and shop a vast array of products on the chain's website.