In another blow to physical stores, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is planning to launch a demonstration virtual reality store by the end of this month. A large-scale rollout could be introduced by the end of the year. Last week, Alibaba showed how a shopper wearing a Vive VR helmet from HTC Corp. could walk around a digital store. Shoppers wearing the helmet can rotate an item around as if they were picking it up to take a look at it. Shoppers can ask a robotic sales associate how the product works or is worn, then they can click on the "buy" button to make a purchase. The shoppers will need to provide their own VR helmet, which can cost between $20 and $1,000.