US retailers feel the heat
Halloween boost but weather hits clothing sales
November 7 2003
Halloween proved a sales treat for US retailers, but unexpectedly good weather played a trick by depressing clothing sales across much of the country.
The weather slowed down sales of fall clothing lines, with department store operator Kohl’s saying its clothing sales fell in double-digits.
Wal-Mart saw October same-store sales rise by 4.5 per cent, towards the top end of its forecasts. Thw world’s biggest retailer said Halloween sales were up strongly thanks to the holiday falling in on a Friday, which encouraged parties.
However the company said: “Unseasonably warm temperatures negatively impacted sales this month and resulted in cool-weather items being below plan.” Gap., the biggest US clothing chain, reported a 1 per cent same store sales increase.
Department store operators struggled, with Sears, Roebuck, JC Penney, Federated Department Stores and Dillard’s reporting same-store sales declines. Discounter Target said sales rose, but not as much as forecast due to exceptionally weak sales at its Marshall Field’s and Mervyn’s department store chains.
US consumers were clearly looking for bargains, with warehouse club operators Costco and BJ’s Wholesale reporting double digit same store sales increases.
