Cautious shoppers are being drawn into stores more by deep discounts, but some retail analysts were able to record a slight increase in sales figures for the first time in more than a year.
(Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Stores say sales show signs of a turnaround
But buyers are driven by deals
Cautious shoppers are being drawn into stores more by deep discounts, but some retail analysts were able to record a slight increase in sales figures for the first time in more than a year.
(Mario Tama/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - Americans are finally spending a little more, but they’re playing hard to get.
A tally of sales at top stores managed a gain in September for the first time in more than a year. It was a pleasant surprise for retailers, but analysts say shoppers still aren’t coming in the door unless they see deep discounts.
The increase in the sales figure from the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs yesterday was small - just 0.1 percent - yet significant because many analysts expected sales to keep falling, as they had since August 2008.
Shoppers are hungry for markdowns. Auto showrooms drew throngs of customers this summer because of Cash for Clunkers rebates. Home sales and construction are being fueled by a tax credit for first-time home buyers and low mortgage rates and home prices.
At stores, they’re keeping an eye out for sale signs.
“The tone is better, and I am encouraged, but it is still a very difficult environment where retailers have to promote in order to get shoppers to buy,’’ said retail consultant Walter Loeb in New York. “Overall, it’s going to be a slow recovery.’’
By regular measures, it was a weak month. In the previous five Septembers, sales rose an average of 2.6 percent compared with the year before. Analysts figure stores will have to entice shoppers with discounts through the holiday season.
Laura Rogers of Erlanger, Ky., said she and her husband, who has a lawn care business, are doing all right financially but they don’t want to add any more debt. She plans to trim her holiday shopping budget but has yet to decide by how much.
“We’re more worried about what’s ahead. We’re not so sure,’’ she said.
Overall, spending levels are about where they were in 2005, according to data provided by SpendingPulse, a service of MasterCard Advisors that estimates monthly US sales from all types of payments, including cash and checks.
For the holidays, the National Retail Federation predicts Americans will spend $437.6 billion, about even with the $433.7 billion they spent four years ago.
TJX Cos., based in Framingham, Mass., reported September same-store sales rose 7 percent.
Kohl’s Corp. department store chain, Limited Brands Inc., which runs Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, and accessories chain The Buckle Inc. all said their September sales rose at stores open more than a year.
J.C. Penney Co., Macy’s Inc., and Target Corp. reported their same-store sales fell, but not as much as they had expected. BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc., based in Natick, Mass., said same-store sales slipped 0.5 percent in September, a smaller decline than Wall Street forecast.
A late Labor Day and delayed school openings helped because Americans bought some items in September that they otherwise might have bought in August.
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