Home Depot sales down

World market leader Home Depot recorded sales of around US $ 66.2 bn in the recently completed fiscal year (to 31 January 2010), which amounts to a decline of 7.2 per cent on the previous year's sales. Total company comparable store sales declined 6.6 per cent, and 6.2 per cent in the United States. However, operating income grew 10.2 per cent to US $ 4.803 bn. The sales figures in the fourth quarter showed an improvement. Although the company recorded a 0.3 per cent decrease to US $ 14.6 bn, total comparable store sales achieved growth of 1.2 per cent. Nevertheless, the US stores saw a decline of 1.1 per cent in comparable terms. The world's largest DIY and home improvement retailer had 2 244 stores in operation on the cut-off date, 1 976 in the USA, 179 in Canada, 79 in Mexico and 10 in China. During this current year it is intended on balance to add only six new outlets to the total. Home Depot is expecting growth of around 2.5 per cent for both total and comparable company store sales.