Wal-Mart sticks with September forecast

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, said Saturday it still anticipates September U.S. sales to be up 2 percent to 4 percent at stores open at least a year.

On a recording detailing sales through Friday, Wal-Mart said the strongest sales included the categories of bedding, electronics, food, pet supplies and sporting goods.

Sales also got a boost from the average ticket, as consumers purchased more merchandise.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said comforters and bedspreads led the bedding category, while the release of the Star Wars trilogy drove sales in electronics.

The East and Southeast were the strongest regions for the past week.
Wal-Mart’s September sales period runs from Aug. 28 through Oct. 1. The company will releases its sales for five-week period on Oct. 7.