US online sales at Walmart rise by 37pc

Walmart’s same-store sales of 1.9 percent this quarter were well below the 3.2 percent increase in the previous period.

It was, however, the 22nd consecutive quarter of same-store sales gains.

The company blamed the shortfall on several merchandising mistakes like too much clothing that was seasonal and low-priced.

Online sales in the U.S. gained by 35 percent, weaker than the 41 percent increase booked in the previous quarter.

For the year, U.S. online sales were up by 37 percent. For the current fiscal year, the company’s online sales should be up by 30 percent, to US$50 billion.

Walmart said that losses in its U.S. e-commerce division will either level off or decline for the current year.