19 Feb 2010

Wal-Mart domestic sales down

6:22 am on 19 February 2010

Wal-Mart has seen sales fall in its domestic market. The world's largest retailer said conditions in the United States remain "challenging".

Group same-store sales in the US fell 1.6% in the three months to January.

Overall sales, including its overseas businesses, rose 4.6% to $US112.8 billion. Net profit rose 22% to $US4.63 billion from $US3.8 billion a year ago.

Net sales for the full year rose to $US405 billion from $US401 billion the previous year.

Shares in Wal-Mart fell almost 2% when trading began in New York on Thursday.