Monthly sales volumes from individual department, chain, discount, and apparel stores are usually reported on the first Thursday of each month. Chain store sales correspond with roughly 10 percent of retail sales. Chain store sales are an indicator of retail sales and consumer spending trends. Why Investors Care
Highlights
Chain store sales were flat in February with most chains saying heavy weather, especially in the Midwest, held down results. But many chains also said sales late in the month, and specifically sales in the warmth of the South, did well in a good indication for spring sales.
A big headline from the morning came from Wal-Mart which posted soft results with total sales up a no better than a moderate 5.4 percent and same-store sales up only 0.9 percent. The giant discounter noted, as others, special weakness in home-related goods. Sales of home products have been depressed all through the housing slowdown.
But the bottom line for today's results is that consumer activity, aside from month-to-month weather distortions, remains steady and firm. Retail sales data from the Commerce Department will be released Tuesday.
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