U.S. January Retail Sales Up by 3.3 Percent

Same-store sales, excluding Walmart, saw a 3.3 percent gain in January, bettering December’s 3 percent increase, according to Retail Forward’s monthly report for 32 retailers.

“The modest pickup in retail spending is persisting despite challenges ranging from income constraints to bad weather,” says Frank Badillo, senior economist at Retail Forward, a Kantar Retail company. “The recovery should continue on an uneven path as shoppers slowly resume spending that was postponed or reduced during the recession as a precaution.”

In January 2009, same-store retail sales posted a 4.4 percent decline, excluding Walmart.

Among the biggest gains: Nordstrom (14 percent), TJX (12 percent), Children’s Place (12 percent), American Eagle (10 percent), Ross Stores (8 percent), Abercrombie & Fitch (8 percent), Saks (7 percent) and American Eagle (7 percent).

Among the biggest declines: Hot Topic (-13.1 percent), Stage Stores (-11.3 percent), Dillard’s (-5 percent) and JCPenney (-4.6 percent).

Other January same-store sales postings include Kohl’s at 6.5 percent, Macy’s at 3.4 percent and Target at 0.5 percent. For a list of the retailers reporting and their results, click here.

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