Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Monday said sales improved last weekend, which is typically the biggest shopping period of the year, but it was not enough to make up for a sluggish start to December.
The world's biggest company said it still expects December sales at its U.S. stores open at least a year to reach the lower end of its forecast for 3 percent to 5 percent gain.
"Although we are not up to our original plan, progress was made over the recent weekend," Wal-Mart said on a recorded message.
The Saturday before Christmas is usually the busiest shopping day of the year for retailers. Chains were banking on a strong weekend to salvage what has so far been a mediocre holiday shopping season.
For the second week in a row, Wal-Mart said fewer people shopped at its stores, although they spent more on average. The best-selling categories last week included pharmacy, electronics, toys, girls' clothing, outerwear and pet supplies.
