GENERAL MERCHANDISE NEWS
March starts strongly for Wal-Mart
7 March, 2005 | by Retail Bulletin
Food sales drive same-store US growth
Wal-Mart has started March with same store sales growth continuing to be stronger than at the start of the year.
The world’s biggest retailer is forecasting March growth at US stores that have been open at least a year, to be at least similar or better than the 4.1 per cent growth seen in February.
Wal-Mart has been modest in its growth forecasts so far this year. The February figures edged ahead of the retailer’s 2 to 4 per cent estimate.
The company said sales of food were stronger than general merchandise in the first week of March. With bad weather hitting sales in the east and south-east of the USA, average sales, rather than increased customer numbers, drove growth.
