Wal-Mart ties discounts to Super Bowl

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, rolls into Super Bowl Sunday with discounts of 10 percent to 30 percent this week, the company announced Tuesday.

Coming behind same-store sales increases of 2.4 percent in Dec. 2007, the retailer's reduced prices are expected to give Wal-Mart a double-bounce for Super Bowl week, CNNMoney.com reported. "For Wal-Mart to piggy back off that event is a smart marketing strategy," said Michael Niemira, chief retail analyst with the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Niemira said the Super Bowl is already, "a sales driver," for the retailer.

In addition to thousands of discounts, Wal-Mart announced consumers who use Wal-Mart Credit Carts will not be charged any interest for 18 months on purchases of more than $250.