Dive Brief:

• Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is working with autoinsurance.com to offer customers an opportunity to buy auto insurance through its stores and website.

• Wal-Mart will not sell the insurance policies directly, but will rather provide customers the opportunity to compare prices and buy auto insurance on its website or on digital displays in-store. 

• The retailer has piloted the program in eight states.

Dive Insight:

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is clearly aiming to become the single stop for goods and services beyond its massive retail and grocery business. The company has also instituted money transfer and check-cashing services. These are all financial services that many lower income consumers, which are a major segment of Wal-Mart’s customers, find difficult to access in their daily lives.