Wal-Mart International

"Economic conditions around the world continue to put pressure on consumers," said Mike Duke, vice chairman, Wal-Mart International. "While this is impacting our and other businesses, we are uniquely positioned by our stability and every day low price strategy to help customers in these difficult times. This is reflected in our sales results, on a constant currency basis."

In the October period, sales results were significantly impacted by the strengthening U.S. dollar. Results from each country are discussed on a constant currency basis, before any impact from exchange rates.

In a difficult economic environment in the United Kingdom, ASDA had another strong month as a result of increased customer count and ticket. Comparable store sales were strongest in grocery and clothing. In general merchandise, sales of Halloween merchandise were ahead of expectations.

Hypermarkets and the Maxxi cash-and-carry business led Wal-Mart Brazil to a mid single digit real comparable store sales increase. Pharmacy, electronics and computer sales performed well in October.

The supercentre expansion program, which added two more openings in Ontario, fueled high single digit sales growth at Wal-Mart Canada. Comparable store sales there were in the low single digits, as a result of increased average ticket and electronics and food sales.

Higher average ticket pushed Wal-Mart China comparable store sales to the mid single digits. Trust-Mart comparable store sales were in the low single digits, driven by increased customer count.

At Seiyu in Japan, comparable store sales were in the negative mid single digits. While food sales were down, certain food categories were up due to improved pricing and higher sales of Great Value brand items. Consumables increased in the mid single digits, driven by a continued shift to every day low pricing.

The economic slowdown continued to impact sales in Mexico, where nominal comparable store sales were 0.4 percent lower. The strongest performances came from Bodega Aurrera and Sam's Club, with continued weakness in the discretionary spending formats, Suburbia and Vips.