Apparel chains posted their highest year-over-year gain, at 5.2%, since October 2004, when the sector rang up a 6.8% increase. The best performers were Abercrombie & Fitch, soaring 33%, and Chico's FAS, which jumped 14.6%. Limited Brands posted flat results after bouncing back in November and December from a three-month string of negative same-store sales.
Wholesale clubs were also strong overall, rising 8.2% as a group. Costco's 9% burst topped the sector, while Wal-Mart's Sam's Club followed, with an 8.2% surge. BJ's Wholesale lagged, only gaining 2%.
Department stores' 2.7% gain did not match December's 3.5% rise. Nordstrom, up 6%, and Neiman Marcus, boosted by 4.1%, had the sector's best results, but both chains fell short of their December gains. Meanwhile, Federated Department Stores, the largest player in the category, inched up 1%.
Discounters posted a 3.7% bump as a group. Target's 5.2% increase led those chains, followed by a 5% push at TJX Cos. Wal-Mart was up 3.3%.
The ICSC research team predicts a 3% to 3.5% gain this month for retailers.
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