Wal-Mart sales increase in January

Same-store sales excluding petrol at the country's largest retailer rose 2.1% last month, more than the 1.1% gain expected by Wall Street specialists.

 Like supermarkets in the UK, Wal-Mart
said it was benefiting from the growing number of consumers cutting
back on going out for meals as a means to save money. The firm said
demand had been strong for both frozen meals and cooking equipment.
It also said it had seen a rise in sales of flat-screen televisions,
as consumers increased their focus on at-home entertainment.

The company also changed the way it will provide sales estimates.
Beginning with this fiscal year, which started Feb. 1, the company
will move from providing a monthly estimate of the next period's U.S.
comparable store sales to an estimate for the next 13-week period,
based on the 4-5-4 National Retail Federation calendar.

Looking ahead, Wal-Mart said is expects same-store sales,
excluding fuel, during the period from Jan. 31 through May 1 to
increase between 1% and 3%.