Wal-Mart Posts Record Sales

BENTONVILLE, AR-The largest retailer in the world posted record earnings and sales during its Q4, which ended Jan. 31. Sales were $82.2 billion, up 10.4% from the same period a year before, while net income was $3.2 billion, a 16.2% hike.

But the company’s same-store sales were far from record-breaking. Wal-Mart’s stores overall posted a 1.5% year-over-year gain during the quarter; discount units represented a 1.4% increase, and Sam’s Club warehouse units rose 2%. Over all of last year, same-store sales for all divisions climbed 3.3%.

Last year Wal-Mart brought its total number of domestic stores to 3,702, representing about 530 million sf. The company opened 83 Supercenters, 36 discount stores, 21 Neighborhood Market grocery stores and 13 Sam’s Clubs. Wal-Mart now operates 1,713 Supercenters, 1,353 discount stores, 551 Sam’s Clubs and 85 Neighborhood Markets.