Warmer weather boasts sales in May

New York -- Costco Wholesale Corp. was among the retailers who topped sales expectations in May as warmer weather encouraged consumers to go out and shop.



Costco’s same-store sales rose 6% in May, with a 6% rise in U.S. sales and a 4% increase in international sales, better than analysts had expected.



At L Brands, owner of Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, same-store sales were up 3 in May, better than projections. Total revenue for the month rose 4% to $763.6 million.



Gap Inc. said it same-store sales increased 4% in May. Net sales for the four-week period ended May 31, 2014 were $1.27 billion compared with net sales of $1.22 billion in the year-ago period.



“We delivered a positive comp to start the second quarter, building on last May’s strong performance,” said Glenn Murphy, chairman and CEO, Gap Inc.



In other same-store sales results for May:



• Cato Corp.’s same-store sales increased 3%.



• Zumiez Inc. enjoyed a 3.6% increase.



• The Buckle had a 3.1% drop in comparable-store sales for May.



• Stein Mart’s same-store sales rose 0.4%. The company opened two stores, in Aventura, Florida, and Falls Church, Virginia, as part of a plan to open 10 new stores and complete six relocations in its current fiscal year.