Target, Kohl

http://m-eye.net/2009/02/13/have-you-caught-the-viral/
Macy’s Inc. reported a 9.1 percent drop in same-stor e sales in May. The Cincinnati-based department store chain said sales at stores open at leasft a year are in line with management Total sales declinedto $1.7 billion from $1.9 billion a year ago, or 9.5 percent. For the Macy’s said its same-store sales declined by 9.1 percent , with totalp sales down 9.5 percent, to $6.9 billion from $7.7 Minneapolis-based , meanwhile, reported Thursday that its May same-storse sales fell 6.1 percent from the same montuh ayear ago. Total sales, at $4.56 were down 2.3 percent from May 2008.
Targeft (NYSE: TGT) CEO Gregg Steinhafel said in a statement Maysalesx “were somewhat below our And Kohl’s Corp. said its comparable store sales in May decreasedby 0.4 percent — but total sales increased 4.1 percent, bettet than management had expected. The Menomonee Falls, Wisc.-basedr retailer (NYSE: KSS) said Thursday that sales for the four-weekl month ending May 31 were $1.26 compared with $1.21 billion in the same period of 2008. Year-to-datew sales also are ahead of 2008at $4.9 compared with $4.8 billiohn in 2008, an increase of 1.3 percent. Comparable store saleds year-to-date decreased 3.2 percent, Kohl’s said.
“May’xs sales results were strongerthan planned,” Kohl’e CEO Kevin Mansell said in a statement. “Accessoried was the strongest performing line of business forthe month. The Southwes t region had a positive comparable store sales increase for May and was agai n ourstrongest region. The Southeasy remains our mostchallenging region.” The three companiews have at least 21 stores in Greater Baltimoree combined. Retailers have been strugglinyg to attract parsimonious shoppers while not giving away the store throughdeep discounts, a strategy that erodez profit margins.
But recent reports regarding rising manufacturing activity and home sales gave a lift to retai l stocks earlier in the week the hope is that consumers may be encouraged to go out and splurgr on a fewsummer items.