Home still lagging at Walmart

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/18/2011 2:09:50 PM

Bentonville, Ark. - Home posted a mid single-digit negative comp during the first quarter at Walmart U.S., although the retailer said most indoor home categories - including bath - showed improvement,

"We expect to see momentum pick up in indoor categories during the second quarter," said Walmart U.S. president and ceo Bill Simon, in recorded remarks about the quarter.

U.S. comps remained negative, down 1.1%. U.S. sales were flat, up 0.6% to $62.7 billion.

Total company sales rose 4.4% to $103.4 billion, driven by an 11.5% surge in international sales, which were $27.9 billion.