BTS/BTC gave retailers a boost August

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/30/2012 12:35:05 PM

New York - In addition to TJX and Ross Stores - which have scored consistent monthly comp gains - several stores that have recently struggled managed to increase same-store sales in August.

The results:

• Ross Stores: Comps up 8.0%. The company said name brand bargains for back-to-school drove healthy traffic during the month.
• TJX: Comps up 8.0%, with comps in the Marmaxx Group up 9.0%. The retailer credited strong traffic.
• Stein Mart: Comps up 5.6%. Linens among the top performers during the month. The company said overall sales were strongest for regularly priced merchandise.
• Macy's: Comps up 5.1%. The strength was broad-based across merchandise categories as well as geographies and channels.
• Target: Comps up 4.2 %. Sales were stronger in the second half of the month, primarily due to back-to-school and back-to-college shopping.
• The Bon-Ton Stores: Comps up 2.2%. A refined assortment and more compelling marketing aided performance, which included growth in home.
• Kohl's: Comps up 3.4%. The company cited better merchandise content, inventory levels and marketing strategies.
• Alco: Comps down 0.9%. The drought in the Midwest - the worst in 50 years - partially impacted results.
• Fred's: Comps down 2.8%. Back-to-school sales got a late start, but put the retailer ahead of its guidance for the month.