Target Corporation net retail sales for the four weeks ended May 5, 2007 decreased 1.8% to $3,903 million from $3,974 million for the four-week period ended April 29, 2006. On this same basis, comparable-store sales decreased 6.1%.
“Our comparable store sales in April were weaker than expected, resulting from a sales shortfall in the first two weeks of the month,” said Bob Ulrich, chairman and chief executive officer of Target Corporation. “However, the continued strength of our first quarter financial results in both our core retail and credit card operations gives us confidence that we remain on track to achieve our overall financial expectations in 2007.”
As previously disclosed, the Company expects 2007 earnings per share to lie within a range which includes the current First Call median estimate of $3.60.
Sales Total Sales Comparable Stores % Change -------------------------- (millions) % Change This Year Last Year ---------- ----------- -------------------------- April $3,903 (1.8) (6.1) 10.4 March/April Combined $9,495 8.4 3.8 5.8 Year-to-date $13,623 9.0 4.3 5.1