Wal-Mart sees March sales at high end

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.  Monday said it still expects March sales at U.S. stores open at least a year to reach the high end of its forecast for a 4 to 6 percent gain, helped by strong demand for Easter goods.

On a recorded message updating sales through March 26, Wal-Mart said food, Easter merchandise, sleepwear, menswear and electronics were among the best-selling categories.

The world’s biggest retailer said sales of Easter clothing and decorations were running ahead of its expectations, but candy sales were slightly below last year’s level.

Wal-Mart has been saying for the last two weeks that March sales would likely hit the high end of its forecast, boosted by income tax refunds and strong clothing sales.

Last year, Wal-Mart managed only a 0.7 percent increase in March same-store sales, in part because the key Easter holiday fell in the April sales period instead of March.

This year, Easter falls on April 11, also in the April sales period, but the date is 11 days earlier than last year’s holiday, so Wal-Mart and other retailers expect that at least some Easter shopping will occur in March.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Monday said it still expects March sales at U.S. stores open at least a year to reach the high end of its forecast for a 4 to 6 percent gain, helped by strong demand for Easter goods.

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On a recorded message updating sales through March 26, Wal-Mart said food, Easter merchandise, sleepwear, menswear and electronics were among the best-selling categories.

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The world's biggest retailer said sales of Easter clothing and decorations were running ahead of its expectations, but candy sales were slightly below last year's level.

Wal-Mart has been saying for the last two weeks that March sales would likely hit the high end of its forecast, boosted by income tax refunds and strong clothing sales.

Last year, Wal-Mart managed only a 0.7 percent increase in March same-store sales, in part because the key Easter holiday fell in the April sales period instead of March.

This year, Easter falls on April 11, also in the April sales period, but the date is 11 days earlier than last year's holiday, so Wal-Mart and other retailers expect that at least some Easter shopping will occur in March.