Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. net sales for the month of August increased 7.8% to $18.157 billion compared to $16.836 billion last year. Comp store sales for the month were up 2.8%.
Net Sales
4 Weeks Ended Percent 30 Weeks Ended Percent
8/31/2007 9/1/2006 Change 8/31/2007 9/1/2006 Change
Wal-Mart Stores $18.157 $16.836 7.8% $133.297 $125.451 6.3%
Sam's Club 3.344 3.148 6.2% 25.178 23.530 7.0%
International 6.721 5.841 15.1% 49.012 42.234 16.0%
Total Company $28.222 $25.825 9.3% $207.487 $191.215 8.5%
Comparable store sales for the four-week and 30-week periods ending August 31, 2007, and September 1, 2006, respectively, were as follows:
Four Weeks Comparable Store Sales
Without Fuel With Fuel Fuel Impact
8/31/2007 9/1/2006 8/31/2007 9/1/2006 8/31/2007 9/1/2006
Wal-Mart Stores 2.8% 2.9% 2.8% 2.9% 0.0% 0.0%
Sam's Club 5.2% 2.6% 4.0% 1.4% -1.2% -1.2%
Total U.S. 3.1% 2.9% 3.0% 2.7% -0.1% -0.2%
Thirty Weeks Comparable Store Sales
Without Fuel With Fuel Fuel Impact
8/31/2007 9/1/2006 8/31/2007 9/1/2006 8/31/2007 9/1/2006
Wal-Mart Stores 0.8% 2.6% 0.8% 2.6% 0.0% 0.0%
Sam's Club 5.2% 3.3% 5.0% 3.8% -0.2% 0.5%
Total U.S. 1.5% 2.7% 1.5% 2.8% 0.0% 0.1%
Wal-Mart Stores
Back-to-school categories drove sales during the four-week August period at Wal-Mart Stores U.S. In the general merchandise area, back-to-school categories had solid sales performance, with strength in electronics, school supplies and children's apparel. Sales of laptops and calculators did well, as families prepared for later school start dates in some states such as Florida and Texas. Back-to-college essentials and “rollback” features helped increase sales in domestics, including bedding, bath towels and plastic storage and organization items.
Price leadership initiatives continued to drive traffic to Wal-Mart's grocery business as well. Food categories were strong throughout the month and the back-to-school season helped drive convenience items for school lunch boxes and snacks.
“We are pleased with our performance during August, because it reflects continuing momentum in grocery and electronics. Home and apparel are expected to continue improving into the fourth quarter,” said Eduardo Castro-Wright, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores U.S. “Overall, we are pleased with our inventory position at the end of August.”
Sam's Club
Sam's Club's sales for the four-week period were driven by increases in average ticket with both business and Advantage members. Sales among small business members continued to be strongest. Similar to the prior four-week period, sales in electronics, fresh food and grocery were strengths. Hotter weather positively impacted sales of some seasonal items. The clubs are transitioning now to Halloween and autumn seasonal categories and are beginning preparations for the holiday season.
International
During the August period, Brazil and the United Kingdom continued their recent positive performance. Brazil sales continued to improve ahead of the market, mainly driven by a stronger price position, assortment that is customized to the local community and a recovery of disposable income. Asda continued to gain market share during August. Macroeconomic factors contributed to a slowdown in sales in Mexico during the period.
Guidance
The Company expects the comparable store sales of its U.S. operations for the September five-week reporting period to be between 1 and 3 percent, said Tom Schoewe, executive vice president and chief financial officer. The September five-week period runs from September 1 through October 5, 2007.