US retail titan Wal-Mart has reported record sales and earnings for the first quarter but said its results were lower than expected due to higher petrol prices and bad weather.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Net income for the quarter ended 30 April 2005 was $2.5bn, an increase of 13.6% from $2.2bn in the first quarter of the previous year. Earnings per share were $0.58, compared with $0.50 for the prior year first quarter. Net sales for the first quarter were $70.9bn, an increase of 9.5% over the first quarter of fiscal 2005.


“We achieved record results in the quarter. Yet with higher gasoline prices and a cooler and wetter spring than normal, we missed our plan. We are making the necessary adjustments and I anticipate better results in the second half of the year,” said Lee Scott, Wal-Mart’s president and CEO.


Total US comparable sales for the quarter increased 2.9%, including a 2.8% comparable increase for Wal-Mart Stores and a 3.5% increase for Sam’s Club.


The company’s international segment had operating income of $667m for the most recent quarter, an increase of 18.5% compared with $563m in the first quarter of fiscal 2005.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact