The following is a general roundup of US apparel and shoe chains’ August 2010 sales results. The list will be updated as new results become available.
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Specialty retailer Hot Topic Inc has posted a 2% drop in sales for the fiscal month of August, with revenues falling to $65.3m. Same-store sales dropped 3.7%, with a drop of 5.6% at its Torrid concept and a 3.3% decline at its namesake stores.
At action sports retailer Zumiez, total net sales for the four weeks to 28 August increased 14.9% to $59.4m. Sales at stores open at least one year rose 9.1%.
Women’s wear retailer The Wet Seal Inc saw total sales rise 4.2% in the month to $52.6m. Comparable store sales were up 1.1%, with a rise of 1.5% at Wet Seal and a drop of 1.8% at Arden B. The company said the results were in line with expectations, and were lifted by a better merchandise assortment at Wet Seal.
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Total sales at Stage Stores Incorporated increased 2.4% to $114m from $111m a year earlier. Comparable store sales rose 0.5%, with growth in accessories, children’s, dresses, footwear, intimates, junior sportswear and men’s. The company operates 777 stores under the Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage names.
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By GlobalDataAt maternity apparel retailer Destination Maternity Corporation, net sales were down 2.3% in August to $42.9m. This compares with $43.8m in the same month last year. Comparable retail sales (which consists of same-store sales and internet sales) were down 3.2%, while sales at stores open at least a year dropped 4.4%. The company said that despite higher markdown levels, merchandise gross margin was higher than last August, driven by reduced product costs.
The Cato Corporation said its sales for the four weeks to 28 August rose 5% to $61.9m, up from $59.0m a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2%. The value-priced women’s fashion apparel and accessories retailer operates the Cato and It’s Fashion stores.
Net sales edged up 0.9% to $85.2m at fashion and denim specialist The Buckle Inc, up from $84.5m last August. Comparable store net sales, for stores open at least one year, were down 3.5%.
In its four weeks to 28 August, Stein Mart Inc said sales were helped by a clearance event accelerated into the last weekend of the month. Ladies’ career and accessories business exceeded company trends, it said, while ladies’ casual sportswear was “challenged.” Total sales climbed 6.3% to $80.9m, up from $76.1m a year ago. Same-store sales were up 8.5%.
Limited Brands Inc, operator of the Victoria’s Secret, Pink, and La Senza stores, booked a 12.3% rise in net sales to $630.3m in the month, up from $561.4m last year. Same-store sales increased 10%, it said.
For teen retailer American Eagle Outfitters Inc, total sales rose 3% to $312m, compared to $304m a year earlier. Comparable store sales increased 1%.
Abercrombie & Fitch also saw sales rise, reporting a climb of 14% to $353.7m in the four-week period to 28 August. Comparable store sales increased 6%. Highlights included an 80% rise in international net sales, including direct-to-consumer sales, to $50.8m. By division, Abercrombie & Fitch same-store sales increased 9%, Abercrombie Kids fell 9%, and Hollister Co rose 7%.
Lower sales at its Gap and Old Navy chains have dragged on Gap Inc’s August sales, the San Francisco-based retailer said. Net sales in the four weeks to 28 August were flat at $1.1bn, with same-store sales also flat compared with a drop of 3% last year. By division, same-store sales fell by 1% at Gap North America and dropped 2% at Old Navy North America. But Banana Republic North America and its International business were both in positive territory, rising 6% and 5% respectively.
Teen retailer Aeropostale Inc, meanwhile, booked a 4% rise in total net sales to $252.5m, up from $241.7m a year ago. But same-store sales decreased 1% in August. The company said merchandise margins were down on last year, but that stronger results in its peak back to school regions reflected customers shopping closer to need.
At fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom Inc, total retail sales of $615m for August increased 13.6% compared with last year’s $541m. Same-store sales were up 6.3%. The company operates 196 stores.
Off-price retailer Ross Stores Inc reported that its sales increased 9% to $608m in the four weeks to 28 August, up from $557m last time. Comparable store sales for the month grew 5% on top of a 6% increase in the prior year. “Terrific bargains on a wide array of product for back-to-school shoppers drove healthy traffic to our stores,” the company said. Dresses, Home and Shoes were the strongest merchandise categories.
At JC Penney Co total sales increased 0.8% to $1.44bn from $1.43bn last year. August same-store sales were up 2.3%, the company said, with strongest results from men’s and children’s apparel.
Hot weather and reduced levels of summer clearance inventory contributed to a 5.0% drop in total sales at The Bon-Ton Stores Inc, falling to $187.2m from $197.0m the year before. Comparable store sales decreased 4.6%. The retailer also described its back-to-school sales as “suppressed.”
At Macy’s Inc, meanwhile, back-to-school business was “strong,” helped by the Material Girljuniors brand by Madonna, and its private label American Rag line. The retailer reported total sales of $1.638bn for the four weeks to 28 August, an increase of 6.2% on last year’s $1.542bn in sales. On a same-store basis, Macy’s sales were up 4.3%.
Retailer Dillard’s Inc said its merchandise sales were $426.8m in August, a drop of 1% on last year’s $431.1m. Sales in comparable stores were unchanged. Sales of shoes were significantly above trend during the period, the company said.
August results were “slightly better than planned” at Kohl’s Corporation, with total sales rising 7.7% to $1.416bn, up from $1.315bn last time. Same-store sales increased 4.5%. Mens and Footwear outperformed the company average, the retailer said.
At Saks Incorporated, owned sales totalled $159.3m in fiscal August, a fall of 0.9% on last year’s $160.7m. Comparable store sales increased 1.0% for the month. The strongest categories at Saks Fifth Avenue stores included women’s shoes, dresses, and women’s designer wear. Results were negatively hit by reduced levels of clearance inventory, it said.
Off-price retailer The TJX Companies saw its August sales rise 6% to $1.7bn, up from last year’s $1.6bn. Same-store sales increased 2% compared to last year. The company said its “excellent value proposition on great fashions and brands is drawing people to our stores.”
And for Target Corporation, August brought a 3.4% rise in net retail sales, rising to $5.023m from $4.856m. Comparable-store sales increased 1.8%. The company said it was pleased with its strong performance in back-to-school, back-to-college and apparel.
