Wal-Mart Expects January Same-Stores Sales Increase Up 4.7 Percent

New York City, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has estimated that its January sales will be at the high end of the company’s forecast. The chain said that same-store sales are expected to rise 4.7%, which would be at the high end of its 3% to 5% projection.

Competitor Target Corp., whose sales growth has surpassed Wal-Mart’s in recent quarters, expects an increase between 4.5% and 5%.

Wal-Mart and other rivaling chain stores will release the month’s finalized sales figures later this week.