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McDonald's reports strong January global comps
February 8, 2009
OAK BROOK, Ill. — Global comparable sales for McDonald's Corp. increased 7.1 percent in January, the company has announced. Systemwide sales for McDonald's worldwide restaurants were up 2.6 percent for the month, or 9.1 percent in constant currencies.
January comps by region are as follows:
- United States, up 5.4 percent
- Europe, up 7.1 percent, with the United Kingdom, France, and Russia leading
- Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, up 10.2 percent due to strong sales growth in Australia, China and many other countries
"We are pleased with comparable sales performance around the world," McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner said. "For the month of February, it's important to note that comparable sales will be negatively impacted by about 4 percentage points as prior year results included one extra day due to leap year. This compares with a calendar shift benefit of about 2 percentage points in January."
McDonald's tentatively plans to release February sales on March 9.
This release follows a story in The New York Times detailing McDonald's China's introduction of four new combo meals, a price cut of up to one-third from the former price.
Jeff Schwartz, chief executive of McDonald's China, said the promotion is in line with the government's direction to stimulate domestic demand and help build a stronger economy. As the economy slows, "we can do our part by helping stimulate domestic demand in the restaurant sector," he said.
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