Comps up again last week

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/29/2013 12:27:49 PM

New York - Same-store sales rose 1.6% in the fourth week of January following a 1.8% gain the prior week, according to The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index.

Month-to-date, January was up 1.9% compared to January of last year, relative to a target of a 2.3% gain. Month-over-month showed a 0.5% drop, relative to a target of a flat reading.

Low temperatures in many parts of the country spurred sales of cold weather apparel for some retailers but stormy winter weather also kept people at home, explained Redbook analyst Catlin Levis.

"The change over from winter to spring merchandise was said to be proceeding normally, with no unusual inventory issues," she continued. "Some stores are transitioning more gradually than usual, given the increasing unwillingness of shoppers to buy ahead of need; this may mean a slow start to the spring season."