May same-store sales fizzle

With a couple of exceptions, May same-store sales figures reported by several major apparel, specialty and discount chains were less than impressive.



First the good news. Bath & Body Works reported a 3% same-store sales lift for May 2016 compared to the same month a year earlier. Same-store sales at Costco Wholesale Corp. and L Brands were flat, which may not sound that encouraging but was better than most other retailers reporting figures for the month.



Here is a roundup of other chains reporting negative same-store sales growth for the month.



· The Buckle: -11%

· Cato Corp.: -2%

· Gap Global: -3%

· Banana Republic Global: -11%

· Old Navy Global -7%

· Fred’s -0.4%

· Victoria’s Secret -1%

· Zumiez Inc. -7.6%