ForecastIQ: Retailers Brace for Potential Sales Declines

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/26/2011 6:13:03 AM

WORTHINGTON, OHIO - As the 2010 holiday season gets farther away, the outlook for same-store sales growth continues to decline, according to the February ForecastIQ report.
     December experienced a "spending high" that came down in the New Year.
    But the good news, noted ForecatsIQ, is that February's readings are still appearing slightly brighter than February 2010, with fewer retailers likely to see declines.
     In February 2011, 13 retailers said they are expecting an almost certain/likely increase, one expects flat results, and 13 anticipate an almost certain/likely decline. This compares to Feb. 2010's 12 retailers expecting almost certain/likely increases, zero expecting fl at results, and 15 expecting an almost certain/ likely decline.
     An "almost certain increase" indicator for February means that in March and April, retailers are almost certain to experience same-store sales growth from the same period a year ago.
     Nordstrom was among the high-end department stores likely to experience growth.
     However, its department stores counterparts Dillard's, Bon-Ton and JCPenney are likely to see declines.
    A partial list of retailers covered in the ForecastIQ and expectations for same-store sales year-over-year growth/decline through April puts Coscto, Ross and TJX among those almost certain to see an increase, and BJ's, Fred's and Nordstrom likely to see an increase.