Same-store sales beat expectations

-- Home Textiles Today, 10/26/2004 12:32:00 PM

NEW YORK — Same-store retail sales moved up 3.1 percent and remained above plan during the third week of October, helped by cooler weather, sales of seasonal apparel and Halloween-themed products, the Johnson Redbook Index reported.

For the three weeks month-to-date, sales climbed 3 percent, besting a targeted gain of 2.7 percent.

Discounter sales powered the overall increase, rising 3.9 percent. Department store sales, gaining steadily throughout the month, increased 2 percent, improving on gains of 1.4 and 1.7 percent during the first two weeks of October.

"Sales continued above plan in the third week as shoppers responded to more seasonal weather and started to purchase according to current needs," said Redbook Analyst Catlin Levis. "Consumers appear to be focusing on apparel at the expense of hardlines, thereby tempering overall results for certain retailers."