Walmart Canada Corp. plans to use sales to get more business in an effort to fight off its competition. Walmart stores in Canada experienced a 0.2 per cent sales increase at stores that have been open for one year or more, though it posted a “triple-digit” gain in online sales, according to a release. The company’s U.S. stores recorded a 0.6 per cent profit, though its annual earnings outlook was cut due to lower than expected U.S. sales.
“Our enterprise strategy dictates that we move with speed and agility to serve our customers more effectively,” said Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon in a conference call. “We are pushing to save them time and money, both in-store and online.”
Dirk Van den Berghe, Walmart Canada’s new leader since the beginning of August, “produced solid results in a very competitive environment,” according to David Cheesewright, president of Wal-Mart International. Walmart Canada experienced a sales growth of 2.9 per cent due to expanding its supercentres, which include grocery stores. However, despite sales rising by 1.3 per cent during Walmart Canada’s second quarter, shopper traffic decreased by 1.1 per cent, according to the company.
