Nearly four per cent in comparable terms

Home Depot has announced a figure of US $ 64.816 bn (€ 51.505 bn) for the company’s sales in the 2003/2004 financial year (to 1 February). This represents growth of 11.3 per cent overall, and 3.8 per cent in comparable terms. The fourth quarter notched up better results than the average for the year, with a sales volume of US $ 15.125 bn (€ 12.019 bn) giving an overall increase of 14.5 per cent compared with the same period of the previous year, and 7.3 per cent like-for-like. The net earnings for the full year saw an increase of 16.2 per cent to the record level of US $ 4.304 bn (€ 3.420 bn). Listed in a statement from the market leader were several innovations that were introduced last year, including self-checkouts in 777 stores, as well as design and household appliance centres in 1 500 stores.