US retailers issued a mix bag of sales results for the month of April, with most stores seeing only modest increases due to the early Easter and late Mother's Day holidays.
Most of them, including Limited Brands, Target, TJX, Ross Stores, Nordstrom, Saks, and Macy's reported modest sales increases at established stores, but receipts were down at Kohl's, Gap, and Wet Seal.
The majority of retailers missed analysts' estimates, except Limited Brands, TJX, Ross Stores, and Nordstrom.
The sales slowdown in April was attributable to the pre-Easter shopping period falling into March this year compared to April last year.
Unusually mild winter weather also affected spring sales, as shoppers had already picked up apparel for warmer weather in March.
April could also not take advantage of the Mother's Day shopping as it falls about a week later this year, which will push the sales into the month of May.
An increase in gasoline prices is also seeing consumers beginning to pull back on their discretionary spending.
A report released from the Conference Board on Monday showed a drop in consumer confidence, with its U.S. consumer confidence index fell to 69.2 in April from a revised reading of 69.5 for March.
Comparable-store sales or comps is a key retail industry performance metric to gauge activity at store locations that have been open for at least a year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the retailer's comparable store sales to increase 1.5 percent in April, sharply lower than the 8.7 percent rise in April last year.
Looking ahead, sales in the month of May will be boosted by Mother's Day shopping, which is seen as the second biggest gifting holiday in the year after Christmas. This year Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 13, 2012, and retailers can expect a busy week leading up to the day.
The National Retail Federation expects spending on Mother's Day gifts to rise about 8 percent this year to about $18.6 billion, with consumers expected to spend an average of $152.52 on Mother's Day gifts, up from $140.73 last year.
Apparel retailer Limited Brands, Inc. (LTD), the operator of Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works chains, said its April comparable store sales rose 6 percent, reflecting the continued strength of its Victoria's Secret Stores brand. The result exceeded Street expectations of a 4.0 percent growth. Meanwhile, net sales declined to $659.0 million from $683.3 million last year.
Another specialty apparel retailer Gap, Inc.'s (GPS) April comparable sales were down 2 percent, including the associated comparable online sales this year. Street was looking for a 0.8 percent decline.
Specialty retailer to young women, Wet Seal, Inc. (WTSLA) stated its comparable sales declined 9.6 percent in the month, while analysts estimate was for a 9.0 percent drop. Based on brands, the Foothill Ranch, California-based company's April comparable store sales decreased 9.1 percent at Wet Seal and 12.1 percent at Arden B. Net sales declined 7.6 percent.
"E-commerce trends improved versus earlier in the quarter, with a 10% decline in April compared to a 14% increase for the prior year month," CEO Susan McGalla said in a statement.
Among discount retailers, Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Target Corp. (TGT) reported a 1.1 percent increase in comparable store sales for the month, missing analysts' expectations of a 2.8 percent growth. Total monthly net retail sales grew 2.1 percent.
Off-price retailer TJX Cos., Inc. (TJX) reported that April comps were up 6 percent and total sales also increased 7 percent from last year to $1.8 billion. Analysts' were looking for a 4.0 percent growth in comps.
"Comp sales were once again driven by significant increases in customer traffic, which indicates that our values and offerings of current fashions and great brands are attracting and resonating with consumers," TJX CEO Carol Meyrowitz said in a statement.
Another discount retailer Pleasanton, California-based Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) said April same-store sales increased 7 percent, topping Street estimates for a growth of 4.0 percent. Total sales rose 11 percent to $725 million from a year ago.
Fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) reported a 7.1 percent increase in same-store sales for April, above analysts' estimate for a 5.8 percent rise. Preliminary total retail sales also grew 10.5 percent from last year.
Kevin Mansell, Kohl's chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "As expected, warm March weather and an early Easter, contributed to a decline in April's sales. Home, Accessories and Men's all reported positive comparable store sales."
Among department store chains, Cincinnati, Ohio-based Macy's (M) same-store sales for April increased 1.2 percent over last year, lower than the 1.9 percent growth analysts were expecting. Net sales also edged up 0.4 percent, with online sales, macys.com and bloomingdales.com combined, growing 29.9 percent in April.
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based Kohl's Corp. (KSS) reported a 3.5 percent decline in comparable sales for the month, while Street expected it to decline 1.0 percent. Total sales also declined 1.9 percent year-over-year to $1.25 billion.
Fashion retail store chain, New York-based Saks, Inc. (SKS) reported that comparable store sales increased 2.0 percent in April, trailing analysts expectations for the 4.0 percent growth. Total owned sales also edged up 0.9 percent to $259.5 million from last year.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.