The Most Comprehensive Same-Store Sales Recap Of April 7, 2011 Ever

March same-store sales have been released for the retail sector and overall the results are positive, with the majority of reports exceeding the Street consensus. Factors stated by retailers as affecting March's numbers include this year's Easter timing three weeks later in 2011 than in 2010, the crisis in Japan, inflation in gasoline prices, and cooler weather. Many companies are hopeful that next month's sales will exceed expectations as consumers prepare for Easter and temperatures rise. Ross Stores

reported March same-store sales of -1.0% versus the -1.6% Street consensus. Nordstrom Stores

reported March comparable store sales of +5.1% . JC Penny

reported March Sales of -.3% versus the -3.9% Street consensus. Saks

reported March same-store sales of +11.1% versus the +2.3% Street consensus. Kohl's

reported same-store sales of -6.5% versus the -9.1% Street consensus. Ross Stores

reported March same-store sales of -1.0% versus the -1.6% Street consensus. Duckwall-ALCO Stores

reported comparable store sales, excluding fuel sales, of +0.4% year-over-year. Tandy Leather Factory

reported comparable store sales of +9% year-over-year. PriceSmart

reported March net warehouse club sales increased +16.6% year-over-year to $139.2 million. Stein Mart

reported March same-store sales of -3.9% versus the -2.0% Street consensus. Dillard's

reported March same-store sales of -1.0% versus the -3.8% Street consensus. BJ's Wholesale

reported March same-stores sales of +5.3% versus the Street consensus of +2.5%. Gap

reported March same-store sales of -10% versus the -7.3% Street consensus. Target

reported March same-store sales of -10% versus the -7.3% Street consensus. Macy

reported March same-store sales of +0.9% versus the -3.6% Street consensus. Bon-Ton Stores

reported March same-store sale of -6.1% versus the -8.5% Street consensus. Haverty Furniture

reported March same-store sales of +0.6%. Zumiez

reported March same-store sales of +8.9% versus the +3.2% Street consensus. bebe

reported fiscal quarted ended April 2,2011 same-store sales of -.7% compared to a decrease of -11.2% in the prior year. Wet Seal

reported March same-store sales of +4.7% versus the -1.0% Street consensus. Buckle

reported March same-store sales of +8.4% versus the -1.2% Street consensus. Limited

reported March same-store sales of +14% versus the +1.1% Street consensus. Cato

reported March same-store sales of -9.0% versus the -10.3% Street consensus. Destination Maternity

reported March same-store sales of -3.0%. Pier 1 Imports

reported Q4 comparable store sales of +8.9%. Stage Stores

reported same-store sales of -5.3% versus the -4.5% Street consensus. Costco

reported same-store sales of +13% versus the +7.4% Street consensus. Excluding the effects of gasoline price inflation and strengthening foreign currencies, comparable sales for US were +7%; International +11%. Fred

reported March comparable store sales of +0.7% versus the +1.6% Street consensus. Hot Topic

reported March same-store sales of -5.0% versus the -5.6% Street consensus. Overall, today's reports reveal that most retailers beat estimates. In general, March sales were stronger than most analysts had predicted.