BENTONVILLE, ARK. —
Walmart reported net income
rose 9.3 percent to $3.4 billion for the three months,
ended Oct. 31, while net sales edged up 2.6 percent to
$101.2 billion.
Walmart’s U.S. stores posted flat sales of $62.2 billion,
a 1.5 percent decline in comp-store sales, and a 1.9 percent
increase in operating income, to $4.4 billion.
Sister chain Sam’s Club posted a 2.7 percent increase
in sales, a 2.4 percent gain in comp-store sales excluding
fuel, and a 7.1 percent decline in operating income, to
$367 million.
In a statement, president/CEO Mike Duke noted that
the company’s operating income is growing faster than
sales as it continues to leverage expenses.
In the U.S., company surveys and election results indicate
that “financial uncertainty still weighs heavily on
everyday Americans, including many of our core customers,”
Duke said, and he promised that Walmart will be “the
price leader” throughout the holidays.
Bill Simon, president/CEO of Walmart U.S., said his
division continues to focus on an everyday low price strategy,
and is broadening its assortment, improving in-stock,
and “driving promotional intensity throughout the store.”
Within CE, Simon noted that the chain’s Straight Talk
prepaid cellular service through Tracfone is the fastestgrowing
item in its stores, and that the division enjoyed a
“solid increase” in TV unit volume during the quarter despite
lower comps stemming from price declines.
Back-to-school sales were up in home office and laptops,
he added, although music sales, particularly CDs,
continue to decline.
