The online segment of the Wal-Mart Inc’s Stores will terminate a line of fashionable ladies clothing called ‘z.b.d. design’ which it had been selling since last August. Commenting on this development, Walmart.com chief merchant Kelly Thompson said, ‘We don't have plans to continue it at this time.’ This z.b.d. design women’s clothing line was being sold by walmart.com on a trial basis after the idea to sell trendy clothing in the company’s physical stores went kaput.

At the time of introduction, the z.b.d. design clothing line comprised tweed trapeze jacket priced at $29.88, matching wide-leg tweed trousers for $22.88 and a puff-sleeve button-down shirt at $16.88. Kelly Thompson explained that due to the current slump in the US economy, the customers were looking for more basic outfits such as shorts and tank tops. By opting to sell more fashionable outfits since 2006, the Walmart was aiming to rival Target Corp but its decision boomeranged as its customers wanted more affordable basic clothing.

Due to this wrong decision, Walmart was left with heaps of unsold merchandise that hurt its sales and profits significantly. The world's largest retailer has since revamped its apparel offerings to concentrate again on basic items like socks and underwear that shoppers require. On its online division, however, the Walmart often does sell merchandise which it does not sell in its stores. The company states that generally customers with higher income visit its websites and so certain merchandise are better suited for online sale.