February Retail Sales Softer Than Expected

The research firm said this morning that the overall gain reached just 1.9% in February. Excluding drug stores, same-store sales rose 4.2%. The best performing sector was discount stores; the worst performer was teen apparel.

Several retailers stopped reporting same-store sales this month. Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT), Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M) and Kohl’s Corp. (NYSE: KSS) join other retailers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT), Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO), that no longer report monthly sales figures.

Here’s a rundown:

Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) reported that same-store sales for February rose 6% compared with February 2012. That is well above the Retail Metrics estimate for a gain of 4.6%, excluding gasoline sales.

Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE: LTD) said same-store sales for the four weeks ended March 3 rose 3% compared with February 2012 and a Retail Metrics estimate for a rise of 2.8%.

The Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE) reported same-store sales for February fell by 1.1% compared with the same month a year ago. The Retail Metrics estimate called for a drop of 2.3%.

Stein Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: SMRT) reported same-store sales for the four weeks ended March 2 up 0.6%. Retail Metrics estimated a same-store sales increase of 0.7% for Stein Mart.

PriceSmart Inc. (NASDAQ: PSMT) reported same-store sales for the five weeks ended March 3 rose 8.9%, well above the 6.5% rise estimated by Retail Metrics.

Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) posted a same-stores sales decline of 8.9% for the four weeks to March 2, much worse than the 1.3% decline expected by Retail Metrics.

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) reported same-store sales rose 3% for the four weeks ended March 2. The Retail Metrics estimate called for a gain of 2.3%.

Gap’s shares are up 3.6% at $35.70 in a 52-week range of $24.54 to $37.85.

Limited’s shares are up 0.6%, at $45.33 in a 52-week range of $40.32 to $52.50.

Costco shares are up 0.8% at $103.41 in a 52-week range of $81.98 to $105.97.

Stein Mart’s shares are down 1.6% at $8.51 in a 52-week range of $6.02 to $9.34.

PriceSmart’s shares are up 1.3% at $75.32 in a 52-week range of $59.00 to $86.00.

Zumiez’s shares are down 2.0% at $22.64 in a 52-week range of $17.93 to $41.96.

The Buckle’s shares are trading up 1.1% at $44.95 in a 52-week range of $36.33 to $51.74.