Wal-Mart Stores

Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) says same-store sales in June beat expectations, helped by sales of groceries and a boost from tax-rebate checks. The company is raising its guidance based on the strong results.

The world's largest retailer says sales in stores open at least one year, a key retail metric known as same-store sales, rose 5.8% in during the five-week period ending July 4. Including fuel, same-store sales rose 6.4%.

Thomson Financial says analysts were expecting a rise of 3.8%.

Total sales rose nearly 12% to $39.94 billion.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. now expects second-quarter earnings of 82 cents to 84 cents per share, up from guidance issued in May of 78 cents to 81 cents per share. Analysts predict 82 cents per share.

Target Corp.

Target Corp. (TGT) said Thursday its same-store sales edged up 0.4%, slightly above the discount retailer's forecast, helped by sales of food.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected same-store sales to fall 0.5%. Target had predicted same-store sales ranging from flat to down 2%.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key measure of retailer performance, because it measures growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

Total sales for the five-week period ended July 5 rose 6.6% to $5.84 billion.

The best-performing category was consumables, Target said in a recorded call. In the discretionary segment, apparel same-store sales were flat, the best performance for apparel in more than six months.

Home products were among the weaker sellers, with same-store sales of housewares flat and same-store sales of decorative home and garden products down in the double digits.

Performance was strongest in the Northeast and weakest in the West, including Arizona, Nevada and parts of California. Sales also were weak in Florida.

For the July period ended Aug. 2, Target expects same-store sales to range from 1% lower to 1% higher.

Quarter-to-date, same-store sales fell 0.1% while sales rose 6% to $10.41 billion. Year to date, same-store sales are down 0.5% and total sales are up 6% to $24.71 billion.

Stein Mart Inc.

Discount retailer Stein Mart Inc. (SMRT) said Thursday its same-store sales fell 7.7% in June, hurt by declines in sales in Florida and Arizona, two states hit hard by the housing crisis.

The results beat the 8.5% decline forecast by analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key measure of retailer performance, because it measures growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

Stein Mart said total sales for the period ended July 5 fell 3.7% to $122.6 million.

The company said ladies' casual clothing and dress sales were positive, while gifts, linens and ladies' career clothing sales fell. Sales were better than average in Texas and the mid-South, but well below company trend in Florida and Arizona, Stein Mart said.

For the quarter so far, same-store sales are down 10%, while total sales are down 6.2% to $231 million. Year-to-date, same store sales are down 9.6%, while total sales are down 6.3% from last year, to $583.1 million.

Limited Brands Inc.

Clothing retailer Limited Brands Inc. (LTD) said Thursday its same-store sales tumbled 9% in June -- further than expected -- reflecting the absence of Express and Limited Stores sales results.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected same-store sales to decline just 7.4%.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

Year-ago results included Express sales through July 6, 2007, the closing date of the sale of a majority stake to affiliates of Golden Gate Capital. They also included Limited Stores sales through Aug. 3, 2007, the closing of the transfer of a majority interest to Sun Capital Partners affiliates.

Total sales for the five-week period ended July 5 fell 15% to $1.02 billion.

Victoria's Secret Stores same-store sales tumbled 12% in June, widely missing analysts' estimate for a 4.9% decline. Sales were negatively impacted by the beauty business, which offered fewer promotions than last year, the company said. Additionally, the merchandise margin rate was up significantly in June due to lower seasonal inventory clearance during the company's semiannual sale.

However, Bath & Body Works same-store sales fell just 8%, better than analysts' forecast of a 12.4% decline. The company said weak traffic hurt results.

Same-store sales for the 22 weeks ended July 5 fell 8%, while total sales dropped 16% to $3.61 billion.

Limited Brands, which is planning the launch of a Pink collegiate collection and body care line, expects a mid- to high-single digit decline in same-store sales in July.

Limited Brands, which operates Victoria's Secret, Pink, Bath & Body Works, C.O. Bigelow, La Senza, White Barn Candle Co. and Henri Bendel, currently operates 2,987 specialty stores.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

BJ's Wholesale Club Inc.

BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (BJS) on Thursday said its June same-store sales jumped 14.5%, topping analyst expectations, as sales of both merchandise and gasoline rose sharply.

The big box retailer said for the five-week period ended July 5, same-store sales of merchandise rose 8.3%, reflecting higher sales of consumable items such as paper products, health and beauty aides and household cleaners. Gasoline sales contributed 8.2 percentage points to the same-store sales gain.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected same-store sales to rise 10.9%.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key measure of retailer performance, because it measures growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

BJ's said total sales rose 18.8% to $1.05 billion, from $887 million in the same month last year. The week preceding the July 4 holiday was the strongest of the period, the company said.

Food sales rose about 11%, driven by strong sales of perishable items. Sales of general merchandise gained about 4%, with air conditioners and consumer packaged goods selling well.

Weaker sales were recorded for cigarettes, electronics, residential furniture, jewelry and televisions.

Saks Inc. 

Luxury retailer Saks Inc. (SKS) said Thursday its same-store sales rose 1.9% in June, missing Wall Street expectations.

Analysts expected a gain of 6.5%, according to a survey by Thomson Financial.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

Total sales rose 2.6% to $243.8 million for the five weeks ended July 5.

In June, the softest categories at Saks Fifth Avenue were women's and men's clothing, although men's contemporary clothing and sportswear performed well.

For the two months ended July 5, same-store sales declined 3.5% and total sales declined 3.2% to $470.9 million because of an accelerated spring clearance sale.

For the second quarter, the company expects "modestly negative" same-store store sales and a relatively flat gross margin rate from a year ago.

Family Dollar Stores Inc.

Discount retail chain Family Dollar Stores Inc. (FDO) said Thursday its same-store sales rose 8% in June, benefiting from warmer weather, increased advertising and consumers cashing in their federal stimulus checks.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

The figure beat the prediction on Wall Street. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected same-store sales to rise 5.6%.

Total sales for the five weeks ended July 5 rose 10.7% to $715 million, compared with $645.8 million in the comparable period a year earlier.

Although sales of consumer staples continue to drive results, Family Dollar said customers also bought more discretionary items, including apparel and seasonal items. The discount chain reported particularly strong sales ahead of the July 4 holiday.

So far this year, same store sales are up 0.7%, while total sales reached $5.93 billion, up 1.4% from last year.

The company expects same-store sales in July will increase 3% to 5 percent.

Gap Inc.

Gap Inc.'s (GPS) June same-store sales fell 7%, hurt by weak customer traffic across all divisions, the clothing retailer said Thursday.

The result, beat the 11.6% decline expected by analysts, according to a poll by Thomson Financial.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

Total sales for the five-week period ended July 5 slipped 2% to $1.41 billion.

Same-store sales at the company's namesake stores in North America fell 5%. Old Navy reported a 10% drop, better than analysts' forecast for an 18.9% decline. The Banana Republic chain booked a 5% drop. Analysts expected a 6.2% decline.

At Gap stores, where traffic was down 14%, kids clothing outperformed baby and adult merchandise, the company said in a prerecorded sales call. Banana Republic traffic fell 7%. Traffic at Old Navy stores fell 3%, much better than a 12% drop in the previous month, driven by customer response to summer sales events, the company said.

"Our June sales events helped us successfully clear through summer merchandise at each brand," said Sabrina Simmons, chief financial officer, in a statement. "As a result, we achieved total company merchandise margins significantly above last year, and our stores are well-positioned for early fall product."

Sales were strongest in the Northeast and weakest in the West.

Year-to-date same-store sales are down 11%, while total sales are down 5% to $5.88 billion.

Ross Stores Inc.

Ross Stores Inc. (ROST) said Thursday same-store sales for the five-week period ending July 5 rose 8%, and the discount retailer now projects earnings for the quarter ending Aug. 2 will be better than previously expected.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key measure of retailer performance, because it measures growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, forecast same-store sales growth of 2.9%.

Total sales for the five-week period ended July 5 rose 15% to $628 million from $545 million, during the comparable period a year ago.

Ross Stores benefited from lower in-store inventories and fewer markdowns to help boost sales, the company's vice chairman, president and chief executive, Michael Balmuth, said in a statement.

Dresses, accessories and shoes have been the strongest sellers for Ross Stores.

With smaller inventories and fewer markdowns, Ross Stores has been able to reduce the level of items on clearance for July, which is typically a clearance-driven month, Balmuth said. Because of the reduced clearance levels, Ross Stores now expects same-store sales to rise between 2% and 4% during the month. It previously projected same-store sales would be flat.

With the strong June sales and improved forecast for July, Ross Stores now expects to earn between 51 cents and 53 cents per share for the quarter ending Aug. 2. It previously anticipated earnings would range between 43 cents and 47 cents per share.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, forecast earnings of 46 cents per share for the quarter.

Nordstrom Inc.

Upscale department store chain Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) on Thursday said its same-store sales for June decreased 18.6%, but weak sales results prompted the company to warn it no longer expects to meet its quarterly earnings forecast.

The retailer's same-store sales decline matched the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial. Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is an important retail performance indicator because it measures sales at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

For the five-week period ended July 5, total sales fell 14.1% to $731 million.

The company said its June sales results were hurt by higher markdowns and the shift of its spring merchandise clearance sale for women and children into May.

Quarter-to-date same-store sales decreased 5.9%, while total sales fell 2.8% to $1.45 billion.

Year to date, same-store sales are down 6.2%, while total sales are down 3.4% to $3.33 billion.

Aeropostale Inc.

Teen clothing retailer Aeropostale Inc. (ARO) said Thursday its same-stores sales rose 12% in June, due to a strong merchandise assortment and successful promotions.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key indicator of retailer performance since it measures growth at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected same-store sales to rise 6.9%.

For the five-week period ended July 5, total sales rose 22% to $136 million from $111.4 million, in the year-ago period.

Year-to-date, same-store sales rose 10% and total sales rose 21% to $574.7 million.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected same-store sales to fall 1.1%. The retailer had predicted a decline in the mid-single digit range.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, is a key measure of retailer performance because it measures growth at existing stores rather than from newly opened ones.

Total sales during the five weeks ended July 5 fell less than 1% to $1.6 billion.

The women's division was the strongest category during the month, while jewelry and home sectors were weak.

Northeast and central region stores were strongest performers.

Quarter to date, same-store sales fell 3.3% while total sales fell 1% to $2.95 billion. Year to date, same-store sales fell 5.7% and total sales fell nearly 4% to $7.07 billion.

The company expects a mid-single digit decline in same-store sales during the July period ending Aug. 2.

In a recorded sales call, the company said while it may have received "modest benefit" from tax-rebate checks, it expects any benefit will be short lived.

Shares of J.C. Penney lost 87 cents, or 2.5%, to $34.65 in premarket trading.