Weekly comps continue to rise

-- Home Textiles Today, 3/16/2010 7:34:00 AM

New York – Same-store sales showed another solid gain during the second week of March, rising 3.3% on top of a 3.1% increase a week earlier, the Johnson Redbook reported today. Until this month, weekly comps had not shown an increase of 3.0% or better since April 2007.

Comps at discounters were up 3.8%, and department stores saw a 2.5% gain.

“During the week itself, sales were somewhat volatile day-to-day, largely the result of weather-related swings affecting customer traffic counts in different regions,” said Catlin Levis, Redbook analyst.

Seasonal goods ranging from spring apparel to lawn & garden products saw strong sales, she added.

“Many retailers planned for a back-loaded month,” said Levis, with sales “expected to rise steadily into the Easter weekend.”