2007年VOA标准英语-Wal-Mart Reports Worst Sales Figures in Nearly

April sales figures show a disappointing month for Wal-Mart.  The world's largest retailer² reported a big drop in sales last month -- its worst decline in nearly 30 years.  As VOA's Mil Arcega reports, Wal-Mart is not alone.

Alan Murray, the managing editor of the Wall Street Journal, says the drop represents Wal-Mart's biggest decline since 1979. "There are a number of things going on.  Part of it is early Easter, so some of those sales got moved into March.  Part of it is bad weather."

But it may also signal a trend.  Across the board, retailers⁵ from Target to JC Penny and the Gap, reported weaker sales in April.  Analysts say the decline suggests high gasoline prices and the slowing U.S. housing market are finally catching⁶ up with consumers.  Murray says there may be other factors at play.

"Wal-Mart is not doing what it used to do very well.  It made an attempt last year to sell clothes to high scale retailers.  That didn't work.  It had to back off.  It's remodeling its stores.  That's not working very well," says Murray.

To bring customers back, some say Wal-Mart needs to go back to its marketing⁷ basics.  Retail¹ analyst³ Dana Telsey says that means low priced goods in a friendly retail environment. "I think Wal-Mart is working to enhance its image.  It could always be better.  Going back to its roots is a way, that hopefully, customers will become familiar with it again."

Wal-Mart is one of the biggest economic indicators⁸ in the retail industry.  As the world's largest profit making enterprise, Wal-Mart's yearly revenues represents about 2.5 percent of total economic activity in the U.S.