May Same-Store Sales Roundup

Major Memorial Day sales and a jump in U.S. consumer confidence in May were not enough to fend off another month of soft retail same-store sales. U.S. same-store sales for the month fell 4.8% according to Thomson Reuter vs. their estimate of a 4.1% decrease.

A 14-yr high in consumer savings and a curb on spending, both due to unemployment concerns and a troubled housing market, have negatively impacted retail sales, particularly luxury retail. Discretionary spending, which drives the luxury sector, just isn't there. Instead, consumers are focusing more on necessities such as food, gas and affordable clothing:

Upscale chains posted some of the worst May sales at stores open at least a year, or same-store sales."The high end continues to struggle, those in the discretionary spend segment are really continuing to get clocked," said Ken Perkins, president of Retail Metrics. (Source: Reuters)

Here's the apparel retail May same-store sales roundup:

Macy's same-store sales for May were down 9.1%, coming just under analysts' estimates of a 9.3% decline. The company says that sales were consistent with management's expectations.

Comp. sales dropped 12% for Dillard's in May, above projected declines of 8% by wall street.

Limited Brands met analysts' estimates and company expectations, posting a 7% decline in same-store sales in May. Amie Preston, V.P. Investor Relations, says the company projects comp. sales decline in the high single digits for June.

It was another weak month for high-end/luxury apparel sector. Abercrombie & Fitch reported comp. sales fell 28% for May, which was higher than analysts' estimates of a 24.2% drop.

Nordstrom's May comp. sales slipped 13.1%, slightly above the 12.7% decrease analysts predicted. The company experienced strength in Women's Coats and Dresses, Individualist, Savvy and Narrative merchandise categories.

Saks continues to suffer, posting same-store sales that plummeted 26.6%, way above analysts' predictions of 14.2%. The positive impact of a clearance event shift from April to May was offset by the designer sale event shift from May to June. Both event shifts caused a negative impact on May comp. sales.

Neiman Marcus May same-store sales declines 23.3%. Weakness was experienced across all geographies and merchandise categories.