Same-store sales stronger in May's 2nd week

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/15/2012 11:10:39 AM

New York - Comps rose 3.7% during the second week of May, propelled by fair weather, Mother's Day and the approach of graduation day in many parts of the country, according to The Johnson Redbook Retail Index.
Year-over-year comps in the department store channel rose 2.6% for the week ended May 12 after rising 1.9% the previous week. In the discount store segment, comps last week were up 4.3% following a rise of 2.9% the preceding week.
"At mid-month, sales were ahead of their May targets," according to Catlin Levis, Redbook analyst. "The impact of Mother's Day was boosted by the calendar, as retailers found themselves on the positive side of the shift, just as they had been on the negative side last week."
Strong sellers included seasonal apparel, home improvement and outdoor goods, she added.