Comp pace picks up

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 10/19/2010 11:34:54 AM

New York - Columbus Day sales and cooler weather in many parts of the country helped lift comps 2.7% during the second week of October, according to the Johnson Redbook.
Same-store sales rose 1.9% at department stores and 3.1% at discounters for the week ended Oct. 16.
"Sales of costumes, candy, decorations and cards are starting to build and the general strength in Halloween related merchandise sales is improving as we move closer to the end of the month," said Catlin Levis, Redbook analyst.
Retailers are hoping that Halloween falling on a Sunday this year will spur more people to celebrate, she added.
"Meanwhile, big retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target already have jump-started price-cuts on toys ahead of the holiday season," said Levis.