It continues to offer low prices on everyday items, yet it has now posted five consecutive quarters of comparable-store sales declines at its U.S. stores. Sam Walton Wouldn't Like This The world's largest retailer posted flattish sales growth and a larger-than-expected decline in profitability in its latest quarter. Walmart's report blames "severe weather" like so many retailers have been doing lately, but the odd thing is that this quarter covers the 13 weeks ending on May 2. December and January -- the two months when much of the country was plagued by harsh snowstorms that discouraged shoppers -- were part of Walmart's prior quarter. Some of the bad weather carried into early February, but either way, we're still talking about five straight quarters of negative comps. It's not just the weather. The key to Walmart's low prices is that it is a technology company in disguise.