Today was the day for same store sales across the retail sector. Considering how they have done in recent months, the retailers released some pretty impressive numbers as a whole today. There were pockets of real strength along with some very notable weakness. Before going any farther I will point out some of the strongest and weakest releases.
Surprised to the upside
- Children's Place (Nasdaq:PLCE) This company is trying to right the ship and the recent sale of the Disney stores back to Disney seems to have helped in a big way already. PLCE came in at +15% vs estimates of 5.3%.
- Saks (NYSE:SKS) The same store sales results were great, 23.9%, but it was tempered enthusiasm as the company said that promotions drove those sales, and margins would be hurt.
- BJ's Wholesale (NYSE:BJ) Came in at 17.8% higher vs. estimates of 9.8% higher.
- Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO) Up a staggering 25% vs. an estimate of 8%
- Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) Reported a gain of 3.5% vs. estimates for 1.8%.
- Abercrombie and Fitch (NYSE:ANF) Reported a 6% gain vs. estimates for a gain of just 2.4%
- Costco (Nasdaq:COST) Reported an 8% gain vs. estimates of a 6.1% gain. This retailer has proven to be the most consistent of them all lately.
Surprises to the downside
- The Gap (NYSE:GPS) Same store sales fell 6% vs. estimates of a loss of 1.8%. This company just continues to perpetually disappoint.
- Target (NYSE:TGT) Same store sals were up 3.1%, but that fell short of estimates of a gain of 4.2% in the month.
- Limited (NYSE:LTD) Results were worse than analysts had forecast, with the company reporting a loss of 5% vs. estimates of a 2.3% loss.
- Pacific Sun (Nasdaq:PSUN) Reported an increase of 4%, but fell short of estimates for a 5.6% increase.
