The following is a general roundup of US apparel and shoe retailers' April 2012 sales results.

Action sportswear and footwear retailer Zumiez Inc posted a 19.8% rise in its total sales in April, climbing to $38.4m from $32.0m in the same month last year. Same-store sales were up 10.1% according to the company, which operates 444 stores.

Denim specialist The Buckle Inc posted an 3.2% lift in its net sales in the four weeks to 28 April, up to $71.6m from $69.4m a year earlier. Same-store sales at stores open at least one year edged up 1.0%. The retailer operates 422 stores.

According to teen clothier The Wet Seal Inc, its revenues were "within expectations" in April, even though total sales slipped 7.6% to $42.7m. Same-store sales were also down, dropping 9.6%, with a decline of 9.1% at the Wet Seal stores and a fall of 12.1% at Arden B.

Limited Brands Inc, operator of the Victoria's Secret and La Senza chains, said its April net sales edged down 3.5% to $659.0m from $683.2m a year ago. The company said last year's revenues included a contribution of $59.2m from its Mast third party apparel sourcing business, which was sold in November 2011. Comparable store sales were up 6% in the month.

Specialty clothing retailer Gap Inc reported flat net sales for the five weeks to 28 April at $1.15bn, while comparable sales, which include online revenues, were down 2%. There were comparable gains in its North American units of 5% at Gap, 5% at Banana Republic and 4% at Old Navy, but International comparable sales fell 4%.

At value-priced fashion retailer The Cato Corporation, which operates the Cato, Versona and It's Fashion divisions, sales slipped 3% to $84.9m from $87.3m a year earlier. Same-store sales decreased 6%. The results were hurt by an earlier Easter, which shifted some sales into March.

Total sales at regional department store operator Stage Stores Inc increased 2.0% to $121m, up from $119m a year earlier. Comparable store sales fell 1.0%. Growth was seen in the junior's, misses sportswear and petites categories during April. The company operates 827 stores under the Bealls, Goody's, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage names.

Total April sales at Stein Mart Inc slipped 0.9% to $95.2m from $96.0m, while same-store sales slipped 1.6%. For March and April combined, ladies' boutique, petites and men's furnishings posted the strongest comparable sales, while ladies' plus size sportswear, dresses and intimate apparel posted weaker results.

Over at Nordstrom Inc there was a 10.5% jump in total retail sales to $802m, up from $726m a year ago. Same-store sales were up 7.1%, the company said.

Another double-digit rise was seen at off-price retailer Ross Stores Inc, which continues to benefit from consumers' ongoing focus on value. Total revenues increased 11% to $725m, up from $651m a year ago, and comparable store sales grew 7%.

Meanwhile at Macy's Inc, total sales edged up 0.4% to $1.93bn, compared with $1.92bn the year before. On a same-store basis, sales were up 1.2%. The retailer said April sales "met expectations" and were helped by "fresh fashion merchandise."

Retailer Bon-Ton Stores Inc, however, saw its total sales slip 5.3% to $187.2m from $197.7m last April, while same-store sales fell 5.0%. The company said best performing businesses included shoes, cosmetics and accessories, but ready-to-wear in ladies' and men's "did not perform well."

At department store operator Kohl's Corporation, total sales slipped 1.9% in the month to 28 April, falling to $1.25bn from $1.28bn last time, and comparable store sales were down 3.5%. The company said warmer weather in March and an earlier Easter contributed to the decline.

Saks Incorporated, which operates the Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th stores, reported a 0.9% rise in sales to $259.5m from $257.3m last time. Comparable store sales also increased 2.0% in the month. The strongest categories included women's contemporary and Wear Now apparel, dresses, shoes, handbags, and men's accessories, shoes and contemporary apparel.

At off-price retailer The TJX Companies Inc, April sales climbed to $1.8bn, up 7% over last year's $1.7bn. Consolidated comparable store sales increased by 6%, coming in "ahead of expectations."

And Target Corporation said its net retail sales for the four weeks to 28 April rose 2.1% to $4.98bn from $4.87bn a year ago, and comparable-store sales increased 1.1%.