USA: Round-Up Of Retailers' March Sales Results

Here is a general round-up of United States apparel and footwear retailers’ March 2004 sales results released this week. Please note that this article will be updated as individual retailers’ results are released.

San Francisco-based apparel retailer Gap Inc reported net sales of $1.5 billion, a 10 per cent year-on-year increase, and an eight per cent rise in comparable store sales.

Teen-oriented apparel retail Hot Topic Inc posted a 3.9 per cent rise in same-store sales and a 28 per cent year-on-year jump in total sales to $49.2 million.

Maryland-based men’s apparel retailer JoS A Bank Clothiers Inc reported a 23.6 per cent increase in sales to $29.2m, up from $24.2m in March 2003, and a comparable store sales rise of 10.3 per cent.

Casual apparel retailer Aeropostale Inc enjoyed a net sales increase of 44.6 per cent year-on-year to $67.4m and comparable store sales growth of 14.2 per cent.

Pennsylvania-based casual apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters Inc saw total sales grow 17.6 per cent to $140.3m, up from $119.3m in the same period last year, and same-store sales rise 7.6 per cent.

Houston-based apparel chain Men’s Wearhouse posted sales of $135.6m, up from $116.8m in March last year, and a comparable store sales increase of 12.6 per cent in the US and 8.1 per cent in Canada.

Maternity apparel retailer Mothers Work Inc reported a net sales increase of 4.9 per cent year-on-year to $49.2m and a 6.3 per cent drop in same-store sales.

Florida-based accessories retailer Claire’s Stores Inc recorded a 10 per cent boost in comparable store sales and a 16 per cent increase in total sales to $105.78m, up from $90.8m in the same period a year prior.

Tennessee-based apparel retailer Goody’s Family Clothing stated total sales of $125.7m, a 3.4 per cent increase year-on-year, and a 0.25 increase in comparable store sales.

Women’s apparel retailer Bebe Stores Inc posted a 22.1 per cent increase in retail sales to $30.4m, up from $24.9m in March last year, and a same-store sales rise of 20.5 per cent.

Discount fashion retailer Loehmann’s Holdings Inc had net sales of $93.8m, a 9.7 per cent year-on-year increase, and a 3.6 per cent jump in comparable store sales.

Houston-based apparel retailer Stage Stores Inc recorded a 51 per cent increase in total sales to $110.2m, up from $73m in the same period a year earlier, and a 5.5 per cent rise in same-store sales.

Kids’ clothing retailer The Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc announced sales of $97.1m, a 26 per cent year-on-year increase, as well as a comparable store sales rise of 17 per cent.

Indiana-based footwear retailer Shoe Carnival Inc saw a 3.7 per cent year-on-year rise in sales to $56.6m and a 4.9 per cent increase in comparable store sales.

Leather apparel retailer Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc recorded sales of $36.1m, up from $33.2m in March last year, and a comparable store sales slump of 2.6 per cent.

California-based footwear chain Shoe Pavilion Inc posted a net sales increase of 5.3 per cent to $19.6m, compared with $18.6m in the same period a year earlier, and a comparable store sales boost of six per cent.

Retail group Limited Brands, which operates the Victoria’s Secret lingerie chain, reported a 15 per cent increase in comparable store sales and a jump in total sales to $783.7m, compared with $690.1m in March 2003.

Nebraska-based casual apparel retailer The Buckle Inc had a comparable store sales increase of 14.2 per cent and a total sales increase of 18.4 per cent year-on-year to $38.1m.

Massachusetts-based apparel retailer The Talbots Inc experienced a four per cent rise in total sales to $195.5m, up from $187.1m in March last year, and a comparable store sales increase of 1.1 per cent.

Fashion retailer Stein Mart Inc posted a same-store sales increase of 18.4 per cent and a net sales increase of 17.2 per cent year-on-year to $153.7m.

Seattle-based fashion retailer Nordstrom Inc enjoyed a 19.8 per cent increase in preliminary sales to $620.8m, up from $518.2m in the same period a year earlier, and a 15.9 per cent jump in same-store sales.

Juniors’ apparel retailer Deb Shops Inc suffered a 5.2 per cent drop in comparable store sales and a 3.4 per cent year-on-year fall in total sales to $24m.

Plus-size women’s apparel retailer Charming Shoppes Inc reported a five per cent increase in total sales to $234.5m, compared with $224m in March 2003, along with four per cent comparable store sales growth.

Women’s clothing retailer Chico’s FAS Inc recorded a 50.8 per cent jump in total sales to $102.4m, up from $67.9m in March last year, and same-store sales growth of 18.9 per cent.

Apparel retailer Cache Inc posted comparable store sales growth of 12 per cent and total sales growth of 17 per cent year-on-year to $25.1m.

Casual apparel retailer Pacific Sunwear of California Inc stated total sales of $103.8m, an increase of 22.8 per cent year-on-year, as well as a 12.4 per cent rise in comparable store sales.

Women’s apparel retailer AnnTaylor Stores Corporation marked a 23.6 per cent rise in total sales to $170.87m, up from $138.23m in March last year, and a comparable store sales increase of 8.2 per cent.

Footwear retailer Brown Shoe Company Inc posted retail sales of $112.8m, a 10.6 per cent year-on-year increase on the previous year, and a 10.6 per cent rise in same-store sales.

Value-priced fashion retailer The Cato Corporation stated a five per cent increase in sales to $76.6m, up from $73.1m in March last year, and a comparable store sales increase of one per cent.

Youth-oriented apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch reported net sales of $169.6m, an 18 per cent year-on-year increase, and a comparable store sales increase of one per cent.

Children’s apparel retailer The Gymboree Corporation recorded net sales of $63.7m, up 12 per cent year-on-year, and an eight per cent comparable store sales increase.

Off-price apparel retailer The TJX Companies Inc posted a 20 per cent increase in sales to $1.32bn, compared with $1.1bn in the same period last year, and a consolidated same-store sales increase of nine per cent.

Kansas-based footwear retailer Payless ShoeSource Inc marked a 4.6 per cent same-store sales increase and a five per cent total sales increase to $284.6m, up from $270.9m in March last year.

Discount menswear chain S&K Famous Brands Inc enjoyed a 20.4 per cent rise in total sales to $19.5m, up from $16.2m in the same period a year earlier, as well as a comparable store sales increase of 17.2 per cent.

Apparel retailer Ross Stores Inc reported sales of $404m, up 16 per cent year-on-year, and a comparable store sales rise of seven per cent.

California-based apparel retailer The Wet Seal Inc endured a 21.1 per cent fall in comparable store sales and a dip in total sales to $37.9m, compared with $47.8m in March 2003.

Plus-size women’s apparel retailer United Retail Group announced total sales of $37.3m, down from $39.6m in the same period a year earlier, and a four per cent fall in comparable store sales.