PROFITS SQUEEZED, along with SPIRIT

Wal-Mart figures for the Holiday period have just been released.

While the company’s sales were strong compared to several other brick-and-mortar retailers like Macy’s and Target, their e-commerce business really put a noticeable drain of the overall profits.

Wal-Mart indicated that sales in stores open at least 12 months rose 1.8% in the quarter ended Jan. 31, the 10th consecutive quarter of gains. It was their 10th consecutive quarter of gains.

But the strength of the company’s U.S. store business continues to come at the expense of profits, which fell 18% in the quarter.

The retail behemoth is investing billions to raise U.S. store worker wages, lower prices and expand e-commerce sales to better compete with Amazon.

Wal-Mart’s global e-commerce sales growth decelerated compared with the previous quarter. Online sales rose 16% including the first full quarter of sales from Jet.com Inc., which Wal-Mart purchased in September. In the previous quarter e-commerce sales rose 21%.

Wal-Mart’s U.S. store changes are bearing fruit at a time when many retailers roped to large store footprints are struggling, challenged by shoppers gravitating to less-profitable online buying and discounters offering low prices. Investors have become wary of the retail market after several reported weak holiday sales including Target, Macy’s and Kohl’s.

Soon, there will be NO more Breakfast with Santa, anywhere…any more.

That’s a joy of childhood a family can’t enjoy online!

But, then, Santa, and the real reason for Christmas can’t be found on your SmartPhone any way.

Does any one care about that?

Doubtful…