Wal-Mart has expanded its Web site with a Beta section listing thousands of food and other grocery-type products, but at least for now it is directing prospective customers to check for availability at local stores rather than offering them an e-commerce option.

The retailer now has thousands of items ranging from prepared salads and cooked shrimp to dog food and lipstick listed on the site, which is the second busiest on the Internet after Amazon.

None of the items is currently offered for sale online; instead, each item's entry offers a search link to check availability at a local store by zip code or city. The site also now provides nutritional information on listed food products.