Jan 2, 2005 3:05 PM, from staff and wire reports

Wal-Mart announced that the Wal-Mart & Sam's Club Foundation will make an immediate $2 million contribution to the Red Cross in specific support of Indian Ocean tsunami relief efforts. The company will also establish collection points in all of its Wal-Mart stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, Sam's Clubs,and distribution locations in the United States. Customers and associates will be able to make cash contributions at marked containers in each store or club and also online at walmart.com and samsclub.com.

In addition, the Bentonville AR-based retailer has reduced the cost of wiring money via MoneyGram in its stores to individuals in the region. Wal-Mart also will allow free wire transfers for customers who send an express payment to the Red Cross Tsunami Fund.

Wal-Mart's international operations in Canada, Germany and Japan (Seiyu) are also collecting money for relief efforts at stores in their respective companies. ASDA, Wal-Mart's operation in the United Kingdom, has announced it will make a direct financial donation to relief efforts and allow donations via its company web site.