June same-store sales gain steam   

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/24/2008 1:21:00 PM

New York – Same-store sales continued to pick up strength in the third week of June, with the gap starting to close between the month-to-date gain of 2.4% and the goal of a 2.8% gain, the Johnson Redbook reported today.

After a slow start, both discounters and department stores have seen improved performance as the five-week retail month proceeds.

Month-over-month comps are tracking 0.7% below May, compared to the targeted drop of 0.3%.

“Several retailers reported renewed strength in seasonal soft and hard lines in department stores,” said Redbook analyst Catlin Levis.

“Summer arrived last Saturday bringing warmer weather across much of the country. The hot weather and stimulus checks seem to be bringing some growth back into women’s wear, including women's specialty apparel stores, an improvement compared to the lackluster May demand,” Levis said. “Discount stores are also seeing improvement in their seasonal apparel sales.”