COLUMBUS, Ohio — Strong sales at Costco and Target helped overcome slow sales at apparel retailers during the month of January, Kantar Retail here said. An index of 21 retailers reporting sales for the four weeks ending Jan. 28 showed a 4.9% gain in comparable-store sales, Kantar said.
Costco (up by 8% in the U.S., excluding gas) and Target (up by 5.1%) were among the leaders. Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco said food, small appliances and men's apparel led its sales categories.
Target, Minneapolis, said sales came in at the top end of its expected range and “reflect our commitment to delivering a superior experience and providing compelling everyday value on a unique assortment designed to satisfy our guests’ wants and needs.”
January’s sales gains occurred despite warm weather curbing winter apparel sales, Kantar noted, suggesting customers’ spending intentions may be improving.
“Whether January’s growth can be sustained may depend on whether shoppers’ spending intentions show more signs of stalling out in the months ahead. That underlying trend appears to be overwhelmed at the moment by the mixed retail and economic reports,” Frank Badillo, senior economist at Kantar, said in a statement.
