Wal-Mart May sales lackluster

By Nicole Maestri

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) reported May sales at U.S. stores open at least a year toward the low end of its forecast and gave a cautious view for its June sales on Thursday, adding that shopper worries about gas prices have increased from January through April.

The world's largest retailer, which has been struggling with lackluster sales at its U.S. stores, also said sales in its apparel and home businesses continue to be soft.

While it expects to see improvement in these categories beginning in the third quarter, it said "more significant" progress is anticipated during the fourth quarter.

For May, Wal-Mart said sales at U.S. stores open at least a year rose 1.1 percent, excluding fuel. Including fuel, U.S. May same-store sales rose 1.3 percent.

Wal-Mart had forecast a May same-store sales gain of 1 percent to 2 percent.

Wal-Mart said May same-store sales at its namesake Wal-Mart Stores rose just 0.3 percent, excluding fuel, while Sam's Club posted a 5.4 percent rise.

For June, it expects same-store sales to be between flat and 2 percent.

BOOSTING SAME-STORE SALES