Apparel dropped by 4.1%, with Chico's FAS plunging 14.9% and Limited Brands falling 9%. Chains that fared better than most included Ross Stores, up 4%, and Cato Corp, which rose 3%.
All of the department stores in the survey fell, and the group slid 3.3% as whole. Luxury chain Nordstrom took the hardest hit, slipping 5.8%, while the lower-priced Kohl's fell as well, by 3.8%. Macy's Inc., meanwhile, has stopped reporting monthly sales.
Wholesale clubs seemed to thrive in the current economic downturn. Costco shot up 7%, BJ's Wholesale advance 5.9%, and Wal-Mart's Sam's Club was up 5.2%. Discounters also had relatively strong results, rising 2.1%, in part because of Wal-Mart's better-than-expected 2.5% turnout.
Due to Easter falling in March ICSC's research department predicts a 2% overall increase for the current month.
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