Nov 12, 2003

Wal-Mart On Track To Meet Sales Forecast; Lawn And Garden Among Best SellersSource: Various

Wal-Mart has announced that its same-store sales met company expectations, and it expects to meet its November sales forecast. In a recorded message updating sales through November 7, the major retailer said it expects same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least one year, to rise 3-5 percent during the month of November.

Wal-Mart said lawn and garden was among the strongest overall product categories. Other product categories showing the strongest sales included food, automotive supplies, paint, pharmaceutical goods, household paper goods and household chemicals. Sales at Midwest stores were the strongest.

Wal-Mart is the world’s largest company and top retailer, with about 4,750 stores. It reported sales of $244.5 billion in its last fiscal year and employed 1.4 million employees in 2003. The retailer is expected to release earnings information this week.