Although Retail Metrics indicated that sales for 2014 should be stronger, there are plenty of struggling retailers. Wet Seal Inc. (NASDAQ: WTSL) announced on Wednesday that it is closing most of its stores, teen retailer Delia’s Inc. (NASDAQ: DLIA) has already filed for bankruptcy protection and RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH) continues to falter.
Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG) and Rite Aid Inc. (NYSE: RAD) previously reported same-store sales growth of 9.2% and 5.3%, respectively. Pharmacy sales gains at Walgreen rose above 14% year-over-year in December, compared with a 7.3% increase at Rite Aid. Front-end sales rose 0.8% at Rite Aid and 2.6% at Walgreen.
The number of retailers reporting same-store sales has declined significantly over the past few years, but the reported numbers do provide a kind of interim report on quarterly performance at the country’s retail stores. The following is a rundown on stores that have reported sales for December.
Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) reported early Thursday morning that U.S. same-store sales for December rose 5.0%. That is higher than the Retail Metrics estimate for a gain of 3.2%, including gasoline sales. Excluding the negative impact from gasoline sales, sales rose 8% in the United States. Net sales for December totaled $12.12 billion, up 5% over December 2013’s total of $11.53 billion.
Costco shares traded up 0.5% in Thursday’s premarket session to $145.00. The stock’s 52-week range is $109.50 to $146.82.
ALSO READ: Online Holiday Sales Top $53 Billion
L Brands Inc. (NYSE: LB) said same-store sales for December rose 4.0% compared with last year. Retail Metrics had estimated a rise of 3.5%. L Brands operates Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Bath & Body Works, La Senza and Henri Bendel stores. Net sales rose 5% to $2.21 billion in December.
L Brands shares traded down 1.44% Thursday morning at $85.80. The stock’s 52-week range is $50.78 to $87.58.
Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE) reported same-store sales for December rose 2.5% compared with the same month a year ago. The Retail Metrics estimate called for a drop of 0.2%. Net sales for all stores rose 5.4% and totaled $190.6 million for the month.
Buckle shares closed Wednesday up 1.2%, at $52.79 in a 52-week range of $41.45 to $54.13. Shares were inactive Thursday morning.
Stein Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: SMRT) reported a 5.8% increase in same-store sales for December, more than double the 2.3% growth estimate from Retail Metrics. Total sales for December came in at $189.5 million, up 7.9% from a year ago.
Stein Mart’s shares jumped about 5% in Thursday’s premarket to $15.00. The stock’s 52-week range is $11.25 to $15.04.
Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) posted a same-store sales increase of 8% for December. Retail Metrics had estimated a rise of 3.9%. Sales for the month at all the company’s stores totaled $143.4 million, up 14.4% over December of 2013.
Zumiez’s shares traded up about 3.3% in the premarket session Thursday at $41.60, above the stock’s 52-week range of $20.68 to $40.43.
ALSO READ: The Bullish and Bearish Case for Wal-Mart in 2015
Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good
Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
