Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. reported net sales for the month of March increased 6.8% to $20.0 billion compared to $18.7 billion last year. Comparable store sales increased 0.8%…
5 Weeks Ended 9 Weeks Ended Percent Percent 3-31-2006 4-01-2005 Change 3-31-2006 4-01-2005 Change Wal-Mart Stores $19.952 $18.683 6.8% $36.604 $ 33.817 8.2% SAM'S CLUB 3.783 3.563 6.2% 6.821 6.386 6.8% International 6.884 5.730 20.1% 12.228 10.141 20.6% Total Company $ 30.619 $27.976 9.4% $55.653 $ 50.344 10.5%
Comparable sales for the periods ending March 31, 2006, and April 1, 2005, were as follows:
5 Weeks Ended 9 Weeks Ended 3-31-2006 4-01-2005 3-31-2006 4-01-2005 Wal-Mart Stores 0.8% 4.8% 1.7% 4.3% SAM'S CLUB 4.5% 0.9% 4.5% 1.8% Total U.S. 1.4% 4.2% 2.2% 3.9%
The 20.1% increase for the five-weeks and the 20.6% increase for the nine- weeks in International includes sales from the consolidation of Seiyu and Wal- Mart Central America and our acquisition in Southern Brazil.
Comparable sales that are presented in this release exclude the impact of fuel sales in our SAM'S CLUB segment. Fuel sales impacted the SAM'S CLUB and total U.S. comparable sales figures for the five-week period ending March 31, 2006, by 0.3 and 0.0 percentage points, respectively, and impacted the nine-week period by 0.5 and 0.1 percentage points, respectively. Including the impact of fuel sales, the SAM'S CLUB and total U.S. comparable sales figures for the five-week period ending March 31, 2006, would have been 4.8% and 1.4%, respectively, and for the nine-week period would have been 5.0% and 2.3%, respectively.
During the five-week and nine-week period, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. added more than $2.6 billion and $5.3 billion in sales, respectively.
“With Easter being three weeks later this year than 2005, we expected weaker sales in March,” said Tom Schoewe, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. executive vice president and chief financial officer. “We anticipate the April four-week period to be stronger, with comp sales of 4 to 6 percent.”
Schoewe said he was pleased with the customer response to the Company's new offerings in the home area, which focuses on “solutions” that help a customer address rooms and lifestyles.
“Wal-Mart has improved the quality and design of many of its products, including bedding, bath, furniture and items for entertaining,” explained Schoewe.
Response to the Metro 7 line of women's apparel continues to exceed the Company's expectations, according to Schoewe. Metro 7 apparel is expected to expand to 1,500 stores by September 1.
“The female shoppers in Wal-Mart also like the Metro 7 lines of accessories, shoes and jewelry and we will continue to add these items to our stores as well,” he said.
With two months completed in the fiscal quarter, Schoewe said the Company estimates earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 will come within the previously stated guidance of $0.58 to $0.62 per share.