June Comp Stores Sales Report Mixed

As reported on shop-eat-surf.com

Retailers same-store sales in June were mixed. Discount and value chains such as Wal-Mart, Target and Costco did better than expected while some higher priced stores such as Nordstrom and some mall-based stores such as Gap, Limited Brands and Wet Seal struggled.

Here’s how some retail customers of action sports brands fared. I also posted results from industry competitor Hollister.

PacSun

Same-stores sales: up 3 percent driven in part by increased promotions.

Total sales: up 5 percent

Weekly sales: sales were up 10 percent in week one and down 2 percent in weeks four and five.

Strong regions: Texas, Midwest



CEO Sally Frame Kasaks, above.

Weak regions: Desert Southwest, California, Florida

Apparel comps: up 17 percent, accounting for 81 percent of comp store sales

Girls apparel comps: up 30 percent, driven by Bullhead denim, tops, swim and dresses.

Guys apparel comps: up 6 percent, driven by Bullhead denim, shorts and tops

Accessories comps: down high teens

Footwear comps: down high 40s as PacSun exits the business.


Zumiez

Same-store sales: down 3.4 percent

Total sales: up 10.2 percent

CEO Rick Brooks, left



Strong categories: footwear and skate hardgoods

Weak categories: accessories, juniors apparel, men’s apparel, boys apparel.

Comps by week: No. 1 - down 3.1 percent; No. 2 - down 1.2 percent; No. 3 - down 5.2 percent; No. 4 - down 3.4 percent; No. 5 - down 4.4 percent.



Hollister

Same-store sales: down 8 percent

Guys comps: up mid-single digits

Girls comps: down low teens

Strong regions companywide: U.S. based tourist stores, international stores, Southwest.

Weak regions: West and Midwest

Strong female categories company-wide: jeans, swim

Weak female categories: graphic T’s, knit tops

Strong male categories company-wide: knits, fragrance, shorts, jeans

Weak male categories: graphic T’s, swim.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom said this morning that the “competitive and economic environment remains challenging.” The higher level of markdowns at Nordstrom led the upscale department store to lower profit forecasts for the current quarter.

The company said earnings per share will be at the low end or below its previous forecast of 65 to 70 cents.

June same-store sales: down 18.6 percent. A large part of the decline was from the shift of the half-yearly sale from June to May.

Quarter-to-date same-store sales: down 5.9 percent

Strong regions, May and June combined: South, Midwest, Northwest.

Weak regions: California

Strong categories, May and June: designer goods across all merchandise categories, cosmetics and accessories.