Cooler weather gives comps a lift

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/5/2010 10:48:02 AM

New York - Same-store sales in the final week of September rose 2.7%, with full-month comps up 2.6% compared to September 2009, according to the Johnson Redbook.
Department stores finished the month ended Oct. 2 with comps up 1.7%, just missing the target of 1.8%. Discounter comps also missed goal, with same-store sales up 2.6% compared to a target of 2.9%.
"Sales were modestly firmer in the final week of September compared to the previous week," said Catlin Levis, Redbook analyst. She attributed the boost to fall-like weather in many parts of the country.
"Not all agreed, however, with this view as heavy rain and flooding in other areas disrupted business," she added.
Redbook's preliminary target for October is a 2.8% year-over-year gain. That would put October comps up 0.6% compared to September.