Wal-Mart Stores reported net sales for the four-week period ending August 29, 2003, of $19.533 billion, an increase of 13.7% over the $17.182 billion in the similar period in the prior year. Sales for the thirty week period were $140.120 billion, an increase of 10.9% over $126.332 billion in the similar period in the prior year.
On May 23, 2003, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. completed the sale of McLane Company, Inc. (“McLane”), then a wholly owned subsidiary, to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The amounts disclosed above are from continuing operations and exclude McLane sales for all periods presented.
The Wal-Mart division's sales for the four-week period were $13.405 billion, up 13.8% over sales of $11.782 billion in the similar prior-year period. The division's sales for thirty weeks of $95.272 billion were up 10.2% over the $86.443 billion in the similar prior-year period.
SAM'S CLUB sales for the four-week period were $2.651 billion, up 11.3% over sales of $2.382 billion in the similar prior-year period. Club sales for the thirty weeks of $19.133 billion were up 8.1% over the $17.705 billion in the similar prior-year period.
The International division's sales for the four-week period were $3.477 billion, up 15.2% over sales of $3.018 billion in the similar prior-year period. The division's sales for the thirty weeks of $25.715 billion were up 15.9% over the $22.184 billion in the similar prior-year period.
Comparable sales for the periods ending August 29, 2003, were as follows:
4 Weeks 30 Weeks This Year Last Year This Year Last Year Wal-Mart 6.6% 4.3% 3.3% 7.3% SAM'S CLUB 8.2% 1.1% 3.7% 4.1% Total US Retail 6.9% 3.8% 3.4% 6.7%
For the September five-week period, we are estimating comparative sales for the total Company to be in the 3 to 5 percent range.
After consideration of stock options and debt securities that are convertible to common stock, Wal-Mart owns a 36% interest in Seiyu, Ltd. with warrants to purchase up to 66.7% of that company. Seiyu operates over 400 stores located throughout Japan.
