Retail Sales Roundup

Stage Stores Inc (NYSE: SSI) reported a 2.3% rise in its November same-store sales. Stage Stores' total sales surged 4.3% to $121 million from $116 million. Stage Stores shares gained 8.76% to close at $12.54 yesterday.

Pier 1 Imports Inc (NYSE: PIR) reported a 7% rise in its comparable-store sales and raised its profit forecast for the fiscal third-quarter. Pier 1 raised its profit forecast to a range of $0.20 to $0.21 per share from its earlier forecast of $0.18 per share. However, analysts were expecting profit of $0.18 per share for the quarter. Pier 1's total sales surged 8.2% to $383 million from $354 million in the year-ago period.

Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST) reported a 9% rise in its November same-store sales. Costco's net sales surged 11% to $7.51 billion, from $6.78 billion, in the year-ago period. However, analysts were expecting a rise of 6.5% for the month.

Limited Brands Inc (NYSE: LTD) reported a 7% rise in its November comparable-store sales. Limited Brands' net sales for the period dropped 2.3% to $872.6 million versus $893 million. However, analysts were expecting same-store sales to rise 4.4%. Limited also declared a special dividend of $2 per share.

Target Corp (NYSE: TGT) reported a 1.8% rise in its November sales at stores open at least one year. Analysts were expecting same-store sales to climb 2.8%. Its net sales gained 3% to $$6.19 billion.

Dillard's Inc (NYSE: DDS) reported a 3% rise in its November same-store sales. Dillard's total sales for the period surged to $479.2 million from $469.3 million.

Macy's Inc (NYSE: M) reported a 4.8% rise in its November same-store sales. Macy's total sales during November surged 5.3% to $2.47 billion.

Gap Inc (NYSE: GPS) reported a 5% drop in its November sales at stores open at least one year. Analysts were expecting same-store sales to drop 4.3%. Its net sales declined 2.6% to $1.47 billion.

Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) reported a 1.9% rise in its November same-store sales. Rite Aid's total drug store sales climbed 1.4% to $2.4 billion. Its third-quarter same-store sales gained 2%, and total sales surged 1.8% to $6.3 billion.

Ross Stores Inc (NASDAQ: ROST) reported a 5% rise in its November same-store sales. Analysts were expecting same-store sales to rise 3.7%. Its total sales jumped 10% to $765 million. Ross Stores continues to project December same-store sales to rise by 3% to 4%.

J.C. Penney Co (NYSE: JCP) reported a 2% drop in its November sales at stores open at least one year. Analysts were expecting same-store sales to drop 1.6%. Its total sales for the four weeks ended November 26 declined 5.9% to $1.74 billion.