Upstairs retailers trail modest July same-store targets 

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/22/2008 2:17:00 PM

New York – Department store operators slipped further behind comparable-store sales goals in the second week of July, while discounters held steady, the Johnson Redbook reported today.

This was true even though the goal for department stores was a negative 0.4% comp change; upstairs negative comps deepened to 1.2% in the second week.

Overall, the Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 2.6% for the week. Month-to-date, July was up 2.7% compared to July of last year, relative to a target of a 2.9% gain.

“Sales performance in the second week of the month was mixed with a slight pick-up in discount store sales compensating for a pull back at department stores,” reported Redbook analyst Catlin Levis. “Some department stores experienced a lull in activity as a weather-driven surge in seasonal sales winds down before back-to-school takes over. Discounters did their best business in consumer staples such as food, household supplies and health and beauty aids.”

“Retailers are providing customers with competitive prices on items in order to build loyalty and to drive repeat traffic. With some schools starting early, state sales tax holidays are approaching quickly this year and retailers are accordingly preparing special sales and extending hours for back-to-school,” Levis concluded.