Wart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), the world's largest retailer, stated yesterday that same-store sales rose 3.1% in August, which was higher than analysts were expecting. Wal-Mart officials gave partial credit to the life by saying that the chain has lowered prices to coddle back-to-school shoppers. As we all know, getting traffic in the door is half the battle, because many of those back-to-school shoppers will buy more once inside.
With analyst estimates hovering in the 1.6% increase range for the month of August, the chain's own estimate of 1% to 2% was also beat. Again, though, we have a situation that was created on the back of "lowering prices" -- and this is becoming Wal-Mart's temporary savior when it needs a sales lift. No mention about increasing higher-margin sales or creating more value for more customer segments beyond the price-sensitive. Will August's results be an anomaly until the holiday shopping season arrives, then?
I'm not sure I agree with this analyst's statement: "The best same-store sales gain in quite some time reinforced our belief that Wal-Mart is in the early stage of a reawakening and major changes for the better."
One month during a traditionally heavy shopping month (due to school) does not make a re-awakening. If Wal-Mart can get on the growth gravy train for the remainder of the year, however, this quote may turn out to be true. But, let's not count our chickens before they hatch.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-07-2007 @ 1:02PM
Jon N said...
It is really annoying to see the continued bashing of this company. We are retired and live in Florida and enjoy (and save at) our local store.
It is obvious when we shop there that the electronics, groceries, and garden areas are almost always busy, but the margins may not be as high as the basher analysts think they should be.
We are happy to have stock and be able to shop in such a firm.
9-07-2007 @ 2:02PM
roudy11z said...
I agree with #1 jon about 75%. I also know that Brian calls them pretty straight more than not. I also have WMT as my core holding hoping to leave it to my heirs. At this point I think WMT will survive and that all the problems start with Lee(wennie fuzz) Scott and Rob Walton. Get rid of them(a miracle) and things would change immediately for the better I'm sure.
9-09-2007 @ 2:33PM
Dennis said...
I don't think Wal-Mart's August sales will hold up. As a shopper and former employee I can tell you that MANY people are down right angry at Wal-Mart taking them for granted. Their complaints (which never get addressed or corrected): why have twenty registers and only three cashiers? And why is the store too hot (in the summer)? Why is Wal-Mart always discontinuing items that people still want? And finally, but very important, the prices are getting too high! Anyone who shops at Wal-Mart knows that their prices have gone up greatly. WM used to say they had the "lowest prices"; now they just say "low prices everyday". There is a big difference.
9-10-2007 @ 12:13AM
just saying said...
who's enjoying better sales than Wal-mart? I certainly don't see them in my town. The only people going elsewhere are those who don't know any better or those looking to buy suits and sport coats, which Wal-mart doesn't sell. Other than that, they are doing just fine from what i can tell. Of course, if you throw in China and Germany, which have done awful, you would be looking at different numbers. Anyway, my hat's off to the publishers of this information because the lower the stock price, the faster i can buy some more of it!
9-24-2007 @ 10:25AM
Christine said...
Associates know........it's only getting worse!
1)
Be prepared to do the work of 3 people but only get one paycheck.
2)
Your schedule might mean something when they make it, but that doesn't mean
they will let you keep all your hours, or that you will be going home at the
time you are scheduled to get off....depends on what Walmart wants at the
moment.
3)
Do NOT trust most of what the management team says.
4)
Watch your back, today you may be the king of the store, tomorrow I will act
like I don't even know you.
5)
If they want you out, your good as gone.......if they need a reason to get
you out they will make one up.
6)
Be prepared to be "ON CALL" at anytime, but don't think you are going to get
any "on call money" or any special treatment for coming in on a moments
notice......you will be fired in the blink of an eye, who cares if you care, We
don't!
7)
We only use policy around here when we feel like it. It's for Walmart
benefit, not yours.
8)
Covering three departments, and two service counters is considered "the
norm."
9)
We will shit can you as soon as we can find someone to do the same work as
you for a lower wage.
10)
There is no "job title" you cashier, push carts, customer service, zone, do
re shop baskets and then get back on the register, don't like
it.......there's the door.
11)
The Store Manager says one thing, the Co says another, the Assistants say
another.......no communication at all!
12)
To Many chiefs not enough Indians.
13)
We spy on our associates like hawks.
14)
We practice Fear & Intimidation in order to keep everyone QUITE!
15)
The "Open Door" is just a way to find out who is doing what, who knows
things they shouldn't know, who they need to get rid of because of it and
to put you on the shit list.
16)
If a member of management tells you to do something and another member of
management thinks it looks wrong...........don't think the manager who told you
to do it is going to speak up or have your back!
17)
You cannot speak about money, favoritism, coverage in other departments,
customer service, etc, unless it's in favor or Walmart.
18)
Don't ever try to form a Union, if you do, you will be fired....and it will
haunt you for the rest of your life!
19)
You get no props for staying late, coming in early, coming in on your day
off or back from vacation early...........but you will be harassed as long as
you work here if you don't.
20)
What management told you to do five minutes ago, could change in the next
thirty seconds, because their not even sure what's going on.
Sign right here_____________
By signing this form you agree to all the above, you will not bring any law
suit against us, regardless of how you are treated or what activities are
going on (not that anything illegal would ever happen.)