Wal-Mart Reports September Sales

Wednesday, October 08, 2008 7:22 AM

Symbols: WMT

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) reported net sales for the five- and 35-week periods ending Oct. 3, 2008, and Oct. 5, 2007, respectively, as follows (dollars in billions).


                                           Net Sales
                        5 Weeks Ended    Percent    35 Weeks Ended    Percent
                     10/3/2008 10/5/2007 Change  10/3/2008  10/5/2007  Change
    Walmart U.S.      $22.482   $21.447    4.8%   $165.123   $154.744   6.7%
    Sam's Club          4.391     4.066    8.0%     31.439     29.244   7.5%
    International       9.356     8.718    7.3%     66.810     57.730  15.7%
      Total Company   $36.229   $34.231    5.8%   $263.372   $241.718   9.0%

Comparable store sales for the five- and 35-week periods ending Oct. 3, 2008, and Oct. 5, 2007, respectively, appear below. The net impact of Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike on total U.S. comparable store and club sales was approximately negative 0.4 percentage points.


                               Five Weeks Comparable Store Sales
                    Without Fuel         With Fuel             Fuel Impact
                10/3/2008 10/5/2007 10/3/2008  10/5/2007  10/3/2008  10/5/2007
    Walmart U.S.   2.0%      0.8%      2.0%       0.8%       0.0%       0.0%
    Sam's Club     4.6%      4.4%      7.4%       4.1%       2.8%      -0.3%
      Total U.S.   2.4%      1.4%      2.8%       1.4%       0.4%       0.0%

                            Thirty-five Weeks Comparable Store Sales
                    Without Fuel         With Fuel             Fuel Impact
               10/3/2008  10/5/2007 10/3/2008  10/5/2007 10/3/2008   10/5/2007
    Walmart U.S.   2.8%      0.8%      2.8%       0.8%       0.0%       0.0%
    Sam's Club     3.5%      5.1%      6.7%       4.9%       3.2%      -0.2%
      Total U.S.   2.9%      1.5%      3.4%       1.5%       0.5%       0.0%

Walmart U.S.

Walmart U.S. had solid comparable store sales during the September period, despite the negative impact of approximately 0.5 percent from store closures due to the hurricanes that affected many areas of the country. The hurricanes forced the temporary closure of 341 Walmart U.S. stores in coastal areas and the upper Midwest, due primarily to the interruption of electrical power and other disruptions to operations.

'In spite of both the impact from the hurricanes and the recent challenges to consumer confidence as a result of the economic environment, Walmart U.S. had another period of solid comparable store sales performance,' said Eduardo Castro-Wright, Walmart U.S. president and chief executive officer. 'We continue to believe that the strong Walmart value proposition is bringing more and more customers to our stores. We are confident that the customers will continue to shop with us as we enter the holiday season.'

Comparable store sales during the September period were strong in both grocery and health and wellness. Sales in grocery were led by food and consumables. Customers continue to look for basics for their families. Children's clothing was positive during the September period, while sales of discretionary items were soft. During October, customers will continue to find values on a full range of Halloween merchandise.

Sam's Club

Sales at Sam's Club during the September period were driven by strengths in fresh food, with produce leading the category. Within general merchandise, apparel sales were strong, as members reacted positively to new fall items. Categories with softer sales included house wares, furniture, video games and electronics. Within electronics, LCD TVs and small electronic devices, such as GPS units and digital audio, performed well.

'Sam's Club members continue to search for value in this economy,' said Doug McMillon, Sam's Club president and chief executive officer. 'Food and consumables, including fresh foods, are driving increases in comparable club traffic and ticket.

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