1-800-CONTACTS, Wal-Mart announce a long-term pact

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Draper-based 1-800-CONTACTS on Thursday announced a long-term agreement to integrate phone and Internet orders for contact lenses with eye-doctor services and operations in Wal-Mart's stores.

The alliance between the nearly 3,000 Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs locations and 1-800-CONTACTS — which employees 650 people — is expected to result in savings for customers in their contact-lens costs, said Kevin McCallum, chief marketing officer for 1-800-CONTACTS.

"The overall idea behind the alliance was to achieve greater efficiency and greater affordability," McCallum said.

1-800-CONTACTS has its main call center in Draper and also has a 90,000-square-foot distribution center in Salt Lake City. McCallum said the company did not know yet whether new jobs would be created because of the Wal-Mart alliance.