Bringing big-ticket technology into the fold. (Wal-Mart).(Merchandising: CE & entertainment)(consumer electronics)

Wal-Mart dominates nearly every category in which it participates, with one rather large exception: consumer electronics. The nation's largest retailer comes in third after specialty retailer Best Buy and Dell, which is now branching out into a greater selection of electronics offerings.

Third place is not a typical position for Wal-Mart in a category, and whether they view this as a challenge or an opportunity, Wal-Mart is ramping up its participation in this category as evidenced by its newest store format.

Opened in October 2003, Wal-Mart's latest discount store prototype is a bit larger, at 160,000 square feet, allowing key departments such as CE a …