October proved yet another mixed month for the handful of US apparel retailers still reporting their monthly comparable sales, as two firms reported negative monthly comps while another booked its 20th consecutive gain.

Nebraska-based denim specialist The Buckle reported a 1% drop in same-store sales for the four weeks ended 4 November, compared to the same period last year. Buckle has posted negative same-store sales results in seven of the first ten months of 2018. Net sales also declined, slipping 2.5% to US$64.5m from $66.1m in the prior year four-week fiscal month.

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Meanwhile, value-priced fashion and accessories retailer Cato Corporation reported its second consecutive negative monthly result with October comps falling 1%. Last month’s decline was the firm’s first negative monthly comp since April. Total company October sales were flat at $62.1m.

CEO John Cato said: “October same-store sales were below our expectations. However, same-store sales in October had a slight negative impact from Hurricane Michael causing business disruption and closed stores.”

L Brands, owner of the Victoria’s Secret, Pink and La Senza brands, turned in a 4% October comp – its ninth positive comp in the last 11 months. The Columbus-based chain also reported an 8% rise in net sales for the period with revenue reaching $860.5m, up from $794.1m last year.

Speciality apparel and footwear retailer Zumiez, meanwhile, booked a 1.6% comp sales rise. The Seattle-based chain was up against a tough 6.6% year-ago comparison. October marked Zumiez’s 20th consecutive positive monthly comp. Total revenues for the month also increased, rising 0.6% year-on-year to $61.9m, compared to $61.5m for the four-week period ended 28 October 2017.

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