DALLAS, May 17, 2006 / FW/ --- As quarterly financial reports roll in, retailing giant Wal-Mart and fashion-forward Target are on a head-to-head race in attracting shoppers with both of them reporting sales increases at 12% for the quarter.

Bentonville-based Wal-Mart posted net sales of were $79.613 billion, an increase of 12.3% over the same period last year.

Minneapolis-based Target reported total revenues of $12.863 billion, a 12.1% increase from 11.477 billion during the same period in 2005.

But, it was in the comparable store sales the two discounters differed. Wal-Mart, for its Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Club posted 3.8% and 4.3% increases, respectively; while its international segment

Meanwhile, shoppers gave Target a better nod by giving it a 5.1% increase in comparable store sales.

The success of both stores this quarter is based on different philosophies that garnered the same result.

Lee Scott, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer, attributed the company’s record sales and earnings to its focus on ‘driving sales, reducing costs and improving inventory management.’

On the other hand, Bob Ulrich, chairman and chief executive officer of Target Corporation said that Target’s stellar quarterly performance was based on ‘delighting the shoppers with the right combination of innovation, design and value.’