International News - Kmart shrugs off low sales and looks to future

Troubled discounter Kmart has insisted upon its intention to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by July next year.

The retailer was upbeat after experiencing the lowest drop in sales for several months last month - down 6.9 per cent.

In a filing to the US Securities & Exchange Commission, Kmart reported total sales in September of US$1.96 billion (£1.2 billion). The retailer made a net loss of US$176 million (£114 million)during the month, compared with $126 million (£81 million) in August.

Kmart filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, and since then same-store sales have averaged an 11 per cent drop each month. In July, sales dropped 13.8 per cent and in August they declined by 11.9 per cent.