Wal-mart cuts prices in time for holidays

TYLER—Some retailers are preparing for the effects our slow economy will have on the Christmas shopping season. But Wal-mart officials said they're confident they'll have a Merry Christmas.

Unlike department stores, Wal-mart officials said they hope to attract customers this holiday season by starting their Christmas sales early. Wal-mart's plan to outperform competition this holiday season also includes the opening of the Christmas Shop. This is an area in the store where toys and other items are priced at discounted prices. While many stores have Christmas presents for kids costing sometimes in the hundreds, Wal-mart is now selling some toys for less than $10.00.

Wal-mart is expected to report Thursday a sales increase for October. Company officials said the gains are likely to be modest by their standards, but in an economy slowing fast, with many other retailers reporting double-digit sales declines, any gain is impressive.