By Tess Stynes
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is planning back-to-school promotions
starting Friday, timed to coincide with sales tax holidays in a
number of states.
The discount retailer's plans include 400 one-day "Cyber Monday"
deals set for Aug. 4.
The back-to-school offers will be tailored to college students
looking for electronics, dorm decor and school essentials, the
retailer stated.
The back-to-school sales season is a crucial one for retailers,
second only to the Christmas holiday shopping season.
Like other retailers, Wal-Mart is contending with the changing
shopping habits of American consumers who, on one hand, are doing
more shopping over the Internet and, on the other, are making more
frequent fill-in trips to dollar stores and pharmacies, which have
expanded their selection of goods.
Sales at Wal-Mart's U.S. stores, excluding newly opened and
closed stores, have been negative for five straight quarters, and
traffic has dwindled for a year and a half.
The company plans to release its fiscal second-quarter results
on Aug. 14.
Write to Tess Stynes at tess.stynes@wsj.com
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