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Weather chills February retail sales
Washington, D.C. – The long winter chill put a damper on consumer spending and retail sales in February. According to data from the National Retail Federation (NRF), excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, retail sales declined 0.2% seasonally-adjusted month-to-month, yet were up 3% on an unadjusted year-over-year basis.
Additional findings from NRF’s monthly retail sales analysis found that:
Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers:
• -2.3% month-to-month -
Aeropostale Q4 loss narrows; may close 50 to 75 stores
New York -- Aeropostale Inc. decreased its loss in the fourth quarter, and reported its first adjusted operating profit in its last eight quarters. But the struggling teen apparel retailer said it is considering potentially closing approximately 50 to 75 Aeropostale stores and one P.S. Store in 2015.
Aeropostale's net loss narrowed to $13.5 million in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31, down from $70.3 million a year earlier.
Net sales fell 11.3% to $593.8 million. Comparable sales declined 9%.