Retailers are announcing April same-store sales figures today. Research firm Retail Metrics projected an overall gain of 3.5% year-over-year, compared with a 2% gain in February and a 1.4% gain in March.
Source: thinkstock
In general, April sales benefited from lower prices for gasoline, an extra shopping day, and generally better news on the U.S. economy. Late snow and cold temperatures in parts of the country, the payroll tax increase and the effects of the sequester acted as drags on sales.
Several retailers no longer report monthly same-store sales. These include Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT), Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M), Kohl’s Corp. (NYSE: KSS), Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT), Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO).
Here’s a rundown:
Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) reported that same-store sales for April rose 4% compared with the same month in 2012. That is below the Retail Metrics estimate for a gain of 4.9%, excluding gasoline sales.
L Brands Inc. (NYSE: LTD) said same-store sales for April rose 2% compared with the same period last year and a Retail Metrics estimate for a rise of 4.8%. The company also said that it expects to report EPS for the first quarter of $0.46, which is higher than previous guidance of $0.40 to $0.45, but in line with the consensus estimate. L Brands noted that first-quarter earnings took a hit of $0.03 per share due to severance and a higher tax rate.
The Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE) reported same-store sales for April rose 6.2% compared with the same period a year ago. The Retail Metrics estimate called for a rise of 1.8%.
Stein Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: SMRT) yesterday reported an 8% jump in same-store sales for April, well above the 3% estimate from Retail Metrics.
PriceSmart Inc. (NASDAQ: PSMT) reported same-store sales for April rose 10.7%, higher than the 10.2% rise estimated by Retail Metrics.
Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) posted a same-stores sales rise of 4.6% for April, better than the 4.1% increase expected by Retail Metrics.
The TJX Companies Inc. (NYSE: TJX) reported same-store sales rose 8% in April. The Retail Metrics estimate called for a rise of 6.8%.
Costco shares are inactive in the pr-market, having closed last night at $109.61 in a 52-week range of $82.10 to $110.41.
Limited’s shares are down 1.8%, at $52.25 in a 52-week range of $40.32 to $53.33.
Stein Mart’s shares are inactive this morning, and closed last night at $10.90 in a 52-week range of $6.15 to $11.10.
PriceSmart’s shares are also inactive this morning, and closed last night at $88.52 in a 52-week range of $59.00 to $90.94.
Zumiez’s shares are inactive and closed at $30.41 last night in a 52-week range of $17.93 to $41.96.
The Buckle’s shares are trading up 1.4% at $50.31 in a 52-week range of $36.33 to $51.74.
TJX’s shares are inactive and closed at $50.40 last night in a 52-week range of $39.46 to $50.61.
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