Walmart and  Lord & Taylor are preparing to roll out a new shopping experience on Walmart.com. Set to launch in phases in the coming weeks, the "store within a store" on Walmart's website will feature more than 125 brands sold at Lord & Taylor. The two retailers formally announced the partnership last November.

Both companies hope to see a boost in sales from the unique tie-up for different reasons. Walmart is competing with Amazon which might become the #1 apparel retailer in the U.S. It has also said it aims to grow its selection of clothing beyond every day, low-priced items, to include more high-end pieces from well-known, designer labels. Lord & Taylor faces many of the obstacles that U.S. department stores are facing today: it needs to cut costs and find ways to win sales from shoppers who are increasing online purchases. The hope is that a new customer base — i.e. Walmart shoppers — will become more familiar with Lord & Taylor over time and shop their stores too. Lord & Taylor's brands won't be available in Walmart stores, only online and on the company's mobile app.

A redesigned Walmart.com will soon have two shops — one for everyday brands (including Walmart's newer private labels) and one for premium brands, where Lord & Taylor will be housed. Walmart said it will "regularly" be adding new brands and products to the two shops in the coming months.

press release "Lord & Taylor Flagship Store will debut on Walmart.com "