• The New York Times, Monday, March 3, 2008 11:15 AM

Known for its strict, by-the-books culture--accepting a cup of coffee from a supplier can be a firing offense--Wal-Mart is now encouraging its merchants to speak frankly, even critically, about the products the chain carries. Wal-Mart says a new Web site called Check Out (checkoutblog.com) helps buyers solicit quick feedback on the merchandise, and shows a softer side of the giant company.

Corporate blogs are nothing new, but Wal-Mart's is turning the traditional model on its head. Instead of relying on polished high-level executives, it is written by little-known buyers, largely without editing. The result is an intensely personal window into the lives, preferences and quirks of the powerful tastemakers at the nation's largest retailer.

Their decisions about what makes it onto Wal-Mart's shelves have enormous impact, earning--or costing--vendors millions. It was a blogger on Check Out who first disclosed last month that Wal-Mart would stock only high-definition DVDs and players using the Blu-ray format, rather than the rival HD DVD system.

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