President's Day sales help weekly comp

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/26/2013 12:01:08 PM

New York - Same-store sales rose 2.7% last week following a 3.1% increase in the prior week, according to the Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index.
"The department store segment picked up volume, partly the result of promotional activity, while the less promotional discount stores were more mixed," said Caltin Levis, Redbook analyst.
Comps in the department store channel rose 1.7% for the week ended Feb 23, while comps in the discount segment increased 3.1%.
The Monday holiday for many schools and offices helped spur sales of seasonal apparel and other spring goods, said Levis, although demand tended to be heaviest in warmer parts of the country.
Still, she added, "Many retailers in colder regions also reported improved seasonal business, especially in women's categories, suggesting preemptive buying by certain consumers."