NEW YORK—Walmart raised its annual earnings forecast on Tuesday after delivering better-than-expected results in the first quarter that showed shoppers splurged on clothing, as well as lawn and garden items.
Sales at stores opened at least a year rose 6 percent, slowing from the 8.6 percent increase during the fiscal fourth quarter. But it topped last year’s 10 percent spike when Walmart turned into a pandemic lifeline for millions of people. Online sales rose 37 percent, down from 69 percent during the fourth quarter.
