Retailers are announcing September U.S. same-store sales figures Thursday morning. Research firm Retail Metrics had forecast a year-over-year decrease of 0.5% for the month and a 1.1% sales increase for the third quarter. If the Retail Metrics estimate comes true, September marks the sixth month out of the first nine of the year in which same-store sales have declined.
After markets close, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) is expected to post a decline of 3.6% across all its stores, with Banana Republic stores diving more than 9%.
Here are results from the other stores we track:
Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE) reported that same-store sales for September fell 15.5% compared with the same month a year ago. The Retail Metrics estimate called for sales to drop 10.4%. Net sales for all stores fell 14.8% and totaled $82.9 million for the month. These results include the impact of both reward redemptions and accruals for estimated future rewards related to Buckle’s loyalty program launched in April.
Buckle’s shares traded down about 2.5% at $23.06 in Thursday’s premarket, having closed at $23.65 on Wednesday, in a 52-week range of $22.00 to $38.30.
Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) reported that September same-store sales, including gasoline sales and foreign exchange effects, were flat in the United States, up 6% in Canada and flat internationally. Globally, same-store sales rose 1% compared with September 2015. Excluding gasoline and currency exchange effects, U.S. sales remained unchanged, Canadian sales rose 5% and international sales were flat. On the same basis, worldwide same-stores sales in the quarter rose 1%. Net sales for the month totaled $11.06 billion, up 3% year over year. Retail Metrics had projected a same-store sales dip of 0.1% (up 0.9% excluding gasoline sales).
Costco shares traded up about 0.3% in Thursday’s premarket, at $150.50, having closed at $149.98 on Wednesday. The stock’s 52-week range is $138.57 to $169.73.
L Brands Inc. (NYSE: LB) said same-store sales for September increased 3% compared with last year’s sales. Retail Metrics had estimated that sales would be flat. L Brands operates Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Bath & Body Works, La Senza and Henri Bendel stores. The largest gain came from the company’s Bath & Body Works, up 9% year over year in the month. Net sales rose 6% to $919.9 million in September.
L Brands’ shares traded up about 1.7% in Thursday’s premarket session to $71.75. Shares closed at $70.52 on Wednesday, in a 52-week range of $60.00 to $101.11.
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