U.S. Clothing Retailers Report Sales Increases In June

(RTTNews) - A sampling of U.S. apparel retailers on Thursday reported sales increases at established stores for the month of June, as pleasant weather drew customers into stores for summer clothing.

June is normally a weak and promotional month for retail sales ahead of the strong back-to-school season, the second-biggest selling period after the holiday season.

The improved consumer confidence and employment picture also reportedly saw higher store traffic that resulted in a better than expected improvement in sales.

A report released from the Conference Board on June 30 showed that its consumer confidence index increased by much more than expected in June, after reporting a modest improvement in U.S. consumer confidence in the previous month.

The U.S. consumer confidence index jumped to 101.4 in June from a downwardly revised 94.6 in May. Economists had expected the index to rise to 97.4 from the 95.4 originally reported for the previous month.

Sales at established stores or comparable-store sales is a key retail industry performance metric to gauge activity at store locations that have been open for at least a year.

L Brands, Inc. (LB), the operator of Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works chains, said its June comparable store sales increased 3 percent, reflecting strength of its Bath & Body Works Stores. Net sales were $1.21 billion, up 3 percent from $1.18 billion last year.

Stein Mart, Inc. (SMRT) reported a 5.8 percent increase in comparable store sales for the month of June. Total monthly sales also grew 7.5 percent to $121.7 million from $113.2 million in the prior-year month.

Teen apparel retailer Buckle, Inc. (BKE) announced that comparable store net sales for the month of June edged up 0.5 percent. Net sales also grew 2.7 percent to $87.1 million from last year's $84.8 million.

Buckle has begun including online sales in its reported comparable store sales from the February 2015 monthly sales release and for all future periods.

Value-priced fashion apparel retailer Cato Corp. (CATO) reported that June same-store sales remains flat with last year, while total sales improved 2 percent from last year to $93.8 million.

"June same-store sales continue to be in line with our current trend," Chairman, President, and CEO John Cato stated.

Another specialty retailer of action sports related apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories Zumiez, Inc. (ZUMZ) reported Wednesday that its comparable store sales for June decreased 3.3 percent, on top of last year's 3.1 percent growth. However, total net sales also increased 2.6 percent from last year to $67.0 million.