Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) has reported a 13.4 percent increase in net sales for the five-week period ending Dec. 31, 2004. Same-store sales gained 3 percent.

By division, the changes were: Wal-Mart Stores, up 12.1 percent net sales, up 2.6 percent same-store sales; and Sam’s Club, up 7.8 percent net sales and up 5.4 percent same-store sales.

For the 48 weeks of fiscal 2004, ending Jan. 2, 2005, the industry giant’s net sales are up 11.4 percent and same-store sales are up 3.4 percent.

The retailer forecasts a same-store sales gain in the 2 – 4 percent range for the four-week period of January 2005.