August same-store sales were down for many retailers compared to last year, but the declines were not in the double-digit range in most cases. With the late Labor Day, some back-to-school sales also shifted to September.
Here are some results for industry customers and competitors. PacSun is not included because the chain no longer reports monthly same-store sales results.
While The Buckle’s same-store sales were positive in August, the growth has slowed as the company anniversaries tough comparisons. However, the chain’s young women’s division is worth studying as it posted some of the strongest results in the retail industry this month. Total women’s sales rose 18 percent with nearly every category reporting strong results. The Buckle buyers appeared to get the fall assortment right on the women’s side.
Abercrombie & Fitch continues to post some of the worst results in the retail sector and the company’s Hollister chain is performing particularly badly.
Zumiez
Same-store sales: down 12.1 percent
Week one: down 11.5 percent
Week two: down 14.3 percent
Week three: down 8.6 percent
Week four: down 14.1 percent
Categories: all departments posted negative comps
Year-to-date: comps down 16 percent
The Buckle
Same-store sales: up 3.6 percent
Total men’s sales: down 3 percent
Positive men’s categories: denim, outerwear, footwear
Total women’s sales: up 18 percent
Positive women’s categories: denim, woven and knit tops, sweaters, outerwear, accessories, footwear.
Accessories: up 10.5 percent
Footwear: up 17 percent
Macy’s
Same-store sales: down 8.1 percent
Nordstrom
Same-store sales: down 7.6 percent
Strong categories: Coats and dresses, Point of View, accessories.
Strong regions: Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, South
American Apparel
Same-store sales: down 20 percent
Hot Topic
Total same-store sales: down 8.1 percent
Hot Topic stores: down 8.6 percent
Torrid stores: down 5.7 percent
Abercrombie & Fitch
Total company same-store sales: down 29 percent
Same-store sales by chain:
Hollister: down 32 percent
Ruehl: down 37 percent
Abercrombie: down 26 percent
Abercrombie & Fitch: down 26 percent
Aeropostalé
Same-store sales: up 9 percent
Note: Stronger than expected results in August led the company to raise its third quarter earnings guidance.
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