February sales improve for many retailers

New York – Following a bitterly cold and stormy January that left many retailers with disappointing monthly sales figures, February’s sales results were generally a bit more encouraging. Chain store sales posted a gain of 2.7% for the fiscal month of February on a year-over-year basis, according to a tally of comparable-store sales compiled by the International Council of Shopping Centers.



Chains across a variety of sectors reported increases in both same-store sales and total net sales as compared to February 2013, despite poor weather continuing into the first half of the month across much of the U.S.



Following are overviews of how the shortest month of the year treated a number of major U.S. chain retailers. All figures are compared to results in February 2013.



The Buckle: Net sales increased 0.2% to $89.5 million from $89.3 million; same-store sales dropped 1.4%.



Cato Corp.: Net sales rose 3% to $87.4 million from $84 million; same-store sales climbed 1%.



Costco: Net sales climbed 4% to $7.9 billion from $7.58 billion; same-store sales improved 3%.



Fred’s Inc.: Net sales declined 1.5% to $157 million from $159.5 million; same-store sales decreased 2.2%.



L Brands: Net sales grew 5% to $750 million from $712.7 million; same-store sales increased 2%.



Rite Aid: Total drugstore sales increased 2.4% to $2.51 billion from $2.46 billion; same-store sales grew 1.5%.



Stein Mart: Net sales dropped 2.5% to $84.5 million from $86.7 million; same-store sales declined 2.1%.



Zumiez: Net sales climbed 9% to $48.4 million from $44.5 million; same-store sales rose 2%.