Abercrombie, Nordstrom and Costco Sales Fall

Mukesh Buch
09 Jul, 2009
New York City

Retailers declined after reporting weak June month same-store sales. The decline was widespread across all types of retailers including discount retailers. Teen apparel retailers and luxury stores reported worst sales declines in the month.

[R]11:25 AM New York – Retailers declined after reporting weak June month same-store sales. The decline was widespread across all types of retailers including discount retailers. Teen apparel retailers and luxury stores reported worst sales declines in the month.[/R]

Retailer reported weak same-store sales in June as weather and weak job market held back consumers.

Higher than normal rainy days in the Northeast and West Coast states impacted sales at malls and many discount stores. But, the consumer’s reluctance to splurge on non-essential items also impacted sales in the month.

Discounters also struggled with sales in the month.

Costco Wholesale Corp ((COST)) decreased 1.4% to $45.39 after it reported same-store sales declined 6% in June. The discount wholesaler had benefited in the past year month when stimulus checks sustained consumer spending.

BJ’s Wholesale Club sales declined 7.5%. The discounter had a string of store sales gains last year and so far reported same-store sales gains only in February this year.

Wal-Mart ((WMT)) does not report monthly sales and declined 0.5% to $48.11. Target Corp ((TGT)) increased 4.2% to $38.81 after it reported June same-store sales declined 6.2%.

Apparel retailers’ sales dropped the most as teenagers held fewer jobs this summer season.

Abercrombie & Fitch ((ANF)) decreased 3.6% to $23.13 after same-store sales in June declined 32% and Children’s Place sales fell 12% in the month. Limited Brands plunged 7% to $10.53.

J.C. Penney Co. ((JCP)) decreased 4.1% to $26.40 after same store sales dropped 8.2%, Dillard’s Inc decreased 0.7% to $8.22 and Macy’s ((M)) increased 0.8% to $10.77.
Nordstrom ((JWN)) surged 5% or 94 cents to $19.90, Saks dropped 7% to $4.41 after it reported sales declined 4.4% and privately controlled Neiman Marcus Group sales plunged 20.8%.
There were very bright spots in the industry.

TJX ((TJX)), the operator of TJ Maxx and Home Goods increased 3% to $32.03 after same store sales increased 4% and the company also lifted its earnings outlook to between 56 cents and 59 cents compared to 49 cents a in the second quarter a year ago.

Ross store sales increased 1%.

Buckle Inc ((BKI)) increased 3.5% to $5.01 after same store sales in the month increased 9.2%, a slower pace of rise after increasing monthly sale for nearly two years.

Aeropostale same store sales in the month increased 12%.

Walgreen ((WAG)) decreased 2.4% to $29.05 after it reported quarterly dividend increased 22% and is expected to report same store sales later today.

Increasingly fewer and fewer companies are reporting monthly same-store sales. Three years ago nearly 65 companies were reporting same store sales, but the number of companies reporting sales has declined now to less than 25.