--Retailers showing same-store sales growth
--Period just missed devastating Hurricane Sandy
--Macy's beats expectations while Target misses
(Updates with final results and additional information from
retailers including TJX)
By Karen Talley and Joan E. Solsman
U.S. retail sales rose in October, as retailers closed their
books on the month before the brunt of Hurricane Sandy slammed the
Northeast.
Macy's Inc. (M) same-store sales increased 4.1%, handily beating
expectations for 3.1%. "We are feeling confident about our
prospects for the upcoming holiday season and have increased our
sales guidance for the fall season, despite the interruption caused
by Hurricane Sandy in the first few days" of the new quarter, Chief
Executive Terry Lundgren said. "The key growth strategies we put in
place three years ago continue to provide us new
opportunities."
Kohl's Corp. (KSS) said comparable-store sales rose 3.3%, when
1.1% was expected. For the month, the Midwest was Kohl's strongest
region and children's was the strongest line of business, with toys
doing especially well. Women's saw growth, but it was slightly
below the company average. Kohl's also said it is following the
trend of retailers that will no longer report same-store sales on a
monthly basis. Kohl's will halt the practice early next year.
Target Corp.'s (TGT) same-store sales grew 2.4%, less than the
expected 3.2% increase. "While October comparable-store sales were
near the low end of our expected range, our third-quarter
comparable-store sales increase of 2.9% was in line with our
guidance," said CEO Gregg Steinhafel.
"As we enter the fourth quarter, we feel very good about our
holiday-season merchandising and marketing plans," Mr. Steinhafel
said.
On the high end, Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) blew past estimates,
posting a 9.8% rise in same-store sales, ahead of the expected
increase of 6%. The showing may be a high-water mark, at least for
a bit. Nordstrom said because of Hurricane Sandy it closed stores
in the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic regions, which may have an
unfavorable impact on November sales results.
Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) posted a 5% rise in U.S.
same-store sales minus gasoline, compared with the 5.6% increase
that was expected. The warehouse chain saw customer traffic
increase by 4% on a comparable-store basis.
By category, softlines increased by a high single-digit
percentage, with strength in small appliances and men's and women's
apparel.
Costco said a dozen of its warehouses were closed because of
Sandy, which is expected to hurt November sales results. Costco
couldn't quantify the hit but said it believed it would be
small.
Gap Inc. (GPS) reported comparable-store sales rose 4%, when
5.1% was expected, a miss after showing some sustained momentum.
Same-store sales rose 6% at North American namesake stores, 5% at
Banana Republic and 5% at Old Navy, while international fell 2%.
"We're very pleased with the continued momentum in the business
across all brands in North America," CEO Glenn Murphy said.
Limited Brands Inc. (LTD) said same-store sales rose 3%, when 5%
was expected. The retailer's comparable-sales growth slowed to 3%
at its Victoria's Secret chain, despite consensus for a 6.1% gain,
though Bath & Body Works reported strong results, posting a 5%
increase when 4.9% was expected.
Limited Brands nonetheless raised its fiscal third-quarter
earnings forecast as its net sales growth narrowly topped
expectations.
The 17 retailers tracked by Thomson Reuters posted 4.7% growth
in same-store sales, or sales at stores open more than a year, when
4.3% was expected. This compares with an increase of 4.1% a year
ago. The retailers ended their fiscal October on Saturday, before
Sandy reached the Northeast.
While business was "certainly disrupted," the storm "fell
between two seasons--fall and holiday--so the overall effect on the
quarter likely won't be as bad as some fear," said John Morris,
retail analyst at BMO Capital Markets.
Department-store chain Stage Stores Inc. (SSI) again beat
expectations with a 6.5% rise in same-store sales when just a 2.8%
gain was expected. Sales in the categories of home and gifts,
junior and misses sportswear were again strong, outperforming the
company average; cosmetics and men's sportswear also outperformed.
Geographically, all regions of the country had positive comparable
sales, with the Midwest, Northeast, South Central and Southwest
regions outperforming.
Teen retailer Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) reported a 0.6% increase,
though 4.5% was expected. The company lowered its fiscal
third-quarter earnings guidance, saying total sales for the full
period were weaker than anticipated, primarily because of
challenged selling in Europe. Fellow teen retailer Wet Seal Inc.
(WTSLA) posted a 13.5% slump in comparable-store sales when a 10.5%
decline was projected.
September same-store sales at teen-apparel retailer Buckle Inc.
(BKE) rose 3.8%, while a decrease of 1.3% was expected.
TJX Cos. (TJX) raised its fiscal third-quarter and full-year
guidance after it posted stronger same-store sales.
Fellow discount retailer Ross Stores Inc. (ROST) again raised
its earnings view for the fiscal third quarter, citing higher
merchandise margins and after its same-store sales rose 4%.
"We remain well positioned as a value retailer in the current
environment, and our business continues to benefit from our ongoing
ability to deliver ... fashions to today's bargain-oriented
consumers," CEO Michael Balmuth said.
Fred's Inc. (FRED) cut its earnings expectations for the third
quarter and full year as same-store sales fell 0.8%.
Write to Karen Talley at karen.talley@dowjones.com and Joan E.
Solsman at joan.solsman@dowjones.com.