In December alone, same-store sales increased 3.2%. Though some categories, like luxury and teen stores, performed well, retailers overall were still hindered by high gasoline prices that held back consumer spending, the survey says.
Wholesale clubs were one of the strongest-performing sectors of the industry, jumping 5.2%. Costco, with a 7% leap, was high above competitors Sam's Club, up 3.6%, and BJ's Wholesale, up 1.4%.
Within the department-store sector, luxury chains advanced 6.4%, while they increased 3.3% as a whole. Nordstrom shot up 7.7%, heading its peers, while Dillards was at the low end, inching up 1%.
Apparel chains were up 1.5% as a whole, but would have gained 6.9% had it not been for Gap Inc.'s 9% plunge. Strong performers included Abercrombie & Fitch, up 29%; Chico's FAS, up 16.4%; and United Retail Group, gaining 16%.
Discounters rose 2.6% as a group. Though the TJX Cos.' chains escalated 6%, and Target was up 4.7%, Wal-Mart's discount stores only inched up 1.9%
Same-store sales were up 3.7% through all of last year, compared to 3.8% in 2004. ICSC predicts a 3% to 3.5% year-over-year rise in January.
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