United States-Wal-Mart.

UNITED STATES-WAL-MART GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.

Wal-Mart’s U.S. segment derived 49 percent of its sales from grocery items in the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2009, up from 47 percent the previous year, the company said in its annual report.

Wal-Mart’s grocery merchandise consists of a full line of grocery items, including meat, produce, deli, bakery, dairy, frozen foods, floral and dry grocery as well as consumables such as health and beauty aids, household chemicals, paper goods and pet supplies.

Wal-Mart’s U.S. segment net sales from comparable store increased by 3.2 percent in fiscal 2009. "Strength in the grocery, health and wellness and entertainment categories as well as strong seasonal sales throughout the year also contributed to the fiscal 2009 net sales increase," the company stated.

Meanwhile, three Wal-Mart stores in Milwaukee will be renovated to increase their grocery offerings to include fresh meat, produce and other new items, company spokeswoman Lisa Nelson told the Journal Sentinel.

While not being converted into supercenters, the remodeled stores will have a much greater emphasis on their grocery departments, said Nelson.