Target expects weak 4Q after slow Dec.

MINNEAPOLIS Target today reported that its net retail sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 5 increased 0.1% to $9.3 billion from $9.25 billion for the five-week period ended Dec. 30, 2006.

The company reported a same-store sales decrease of 5% for the month of December.

Target's December sales were in line with the update the company provided on Dec. 24, according to chairman and ceo Bob Ulrich. Ulrich added that the company does not expect its fourth quarter earnings to meet last year's results.