Wal-Mart gets Vizio LCD HDTVs

Vizio was a plasma flat-panel TV manufacturer that some think was single-handedly responsible for lowering the prices of retail flat-panel televisions into the mainstream at the end of 2005 and into 2006. The price drops on flat-panel TVs also has been given as a reason by Circuit City (NYSE: CC) for a few horrible quarters recently.

When Vizio started selling the first plasma flat-panel TVs under $2,000 over a year ago, market names like Sony (NYSE: SNE) and Samsung probably started quaking in their boots. That's because when a manufacturer offers what appears to be essentially the same product that a large-name brand offers, those same large-name brands must face price declines to match the new competition or risk lower sales as customers flock to lower-priced TV sets with the same physical size (as in 50 inches, for example). Now, the perceived leader in "low prices" is hooking up with the company that created the lowest price in flat-panel large-screen television sets.

From all initial accounts, Vizio's larger flat-panel TV sets won't be significantly lower in price than the same (or comparable) Vizio models already being sold at wholesale clubs like Costco or BJ's Wholesale. Well, I'm quite sure that there is not much room to negotiate Vizio flat-panel television retail prices. But the 3,300+ Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) locations alone will give the retailer an exposure advantage when it comes to Vizio sales. At this time, Vizio will make LCD flat-panel TVs (as opposed to plasma TVs) available in Wal-Mart locations in sizes ranging from 26 to 42 inches.