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U.S. consumers spent March on the move, allowing many retailers to deliver solid sales numbers that suggest resilience in the face of challenges from a later Easter, poor weather and higher gasoline prices.

Early reports from companies including warehouse club Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST), Victoria's Secret operator Limited Brands Inc. (LTD), and teen retailer Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) show considerably better gains than expected at stores open a year or more.

Others, including Hot Topic Inc. (HOTT), Stage Stores Inc. (SSI) and apparel retailer Cato Corp. (CATO) posted drops in same-store sales from a year earlier, but the declines were less than analysts projected.

"I wouldn't necessarily say the performances we're seeing for March was remarkable, because expectations were so low," said John Long, retail strategist at Kurt Salmon. "It will take April and the Easter holiday to really gauge what's going on, especially on the apparel side."

Wet Seal Inc. (WTSLA), a young women's retailer, reported a 4.7% gain in same-store sales compared with expectations for a 1.7% drop. Chief Executive Susan McGalla said the company estimated same-store sales would have increased at a high single-digit percentage without the effect of a later Easter, but that April would benefit as a result.

The month did see robust growth in employment, with non-farm payrolls showing the addition of 216,000 positions, spurring hopes for a sustained employment recovery. The stock market also continues rising, a plus especially for higher-end shoppers.

Costco, which posted a 13% rise in same-store sales when analysts were projecting a 7.4% gain, continued to benefit from higher gasoline prices at the pumps at its clubs, favorable foreign exchange rates and the continued economic recovery in California, where the company has a significant presence.

Costco's international operations showed continued growth, with foreign sales rising 17% for the month, while U.S. sales increased 11%. Costco said its Tamasakai, Japan, warehouse, closed for repairs from earthquake damage, is expected to reopen before the end of the year.

While many other big players are still to be heard from, including Target Corp. (TGT), Macy's Inc. (M) and Saks Inc. (SKS), it is looking like retailers will beat expectations as a group.

The 25 retailers tracked by Thomson Reuters are expected to post a 0.7% drop in same-store sales for last month, with much of the reservations for a stronger showing the result of Easter being its latest since 1943. The calendar shift pushed buying into April. The March showing is expected to be followed by 7.5% gain in April. As a result of the April momentum, sales for the two months are expected to show 3.4% growth, which Thomson Reuters considers healthy buying.

Easter fell on April 4 last year and is three weeks later this year on April 24.

And consumers are expected to buy. U.S. retail spending on Easter related merchandise, for everything from cookware to clothing, is expected to average $131.04 a person this year, up 11% from a year ago, the National Retail Federation said. The figure is based on a poll of consumers. The increase suggests momentum and is "a good sign leading into the much busier and important months to come," said Matthew Shay, the trade group's president.

Retailers in coming months will look to back-to-school and Christmas holiday buying to the lion's share of their annual sales. They are also facing increasing cost pressures from rising cotton and labor prices and will have to see what kind of price increases shoppers will absorb.

-By Karen Talley, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2196; karen.talley@dowjones.com

-Ian Thompson contributed to this story.

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