Total sales were $71.073 billion, an increase of 10.7 percent over the similar prior year quarter. Net income for the quarter was $2.529 billion, up from $2.189 billion for the similar prior year quarter.

Earnings per share were $0.57, up 16.3 percent from the $0.49 per share reported in the same prior year quarter. Adjusted for the change in accounting for goodwill, basic earnings per share would have been up 14.0%.

Lee Scott, President and CEO said, "In a challenging retail environment with slowing comparable sales growth, we achieved another year of record sales and earnings. Net income exceeded $8 billion for the year for the first time and sales grew by almost $27 billion."

International Sales was the leader during the first quarter in terms of increased sales, but the biggest money maker for the company remains the Wal-mart stores chain with sales of over $45 billion during the quarter.

Wal-mart is a class on its own when it comes to discount retailing. Its nearest rivals are Kmart and Target.