US Holiday Comparable Sales Growth Results: A Mixed Picture So Far

Executive Summary

• Those US retailers that have reported holiday 2018 sales so far have posted mixed comparable sales growth.
• Big-box retailers, Costco and Target, posted strong top-line numbers: Costco reported total same-store sales growth of 6.1% for December, ahead of the consensus estimate of 4.8%, while Target posted 5.7% same-store sales growth.
• Department-store retailers showed mixed performance with Kohl’s posting solid holiday comps while JCPenney reported further negative same-store sales growth. Macy’s underwhelmed and lowered its full-year guidance.
• Specialty retailers such as Boot Barn and Urban Outfitters performed well, posting strong same-store growth, helped by robust online sales.

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