July same-store sales results for industry customers and competitors

July same-store sales remained tough, but there were some glimmers of hope, especially for Nordstrom, which saw a better-than-expected response to its Anniversary Sale.

Here are some results for industry customers and competitors. PacSun is not included because the chain no longer reports monthly same-store sales results. I reported Zumiez results yesterday.

Abercrombie & Fitch continues to post some of the worst results in the retail sector and the company's Hollister chain is performing particularly badly.

The Buckle

Same-store sales: up 2.8 percent

Total men's sales: down 3 percent

Positive men's categories: denim, wovens

Total women's sales: up 17.5 percent

Positive women's categories: denim, knit tops, active apparel, accessories.

Accessories: up 7 percent

Footwear: up 5.5 percent

Total No. of stores: 401

Note: The Buckle's industry-leading same-store sales growth is slowing. But the company was up against a tough comparison. In July of 2008, the company's same-store sales increased 20.9 percent.

Urban Outfitters

Q2 total company same-store sales - stores: down 6 percent

Q2 total same-stores sales - including direct sales: down 3 percent

Urban Outfitters stores: down 8 percent

Anthropologie stores: down 4 percent

Free People stores: down 16 percent

Total stores: 309

Macy's

Same-store sales: down 10.7 percent

Bright spot: online sales, which rose 7.9 percent in July

Total No. of stores: 840

Nordstrom

Same-store sales: down 6.9 percent

Strong categories: kids' shoes, dresses, Point of View, kids' wear, women's specialized (intimate apparel, active clothes).

Strong regions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South

Total No. of stores: 175

Note: The company said sales during its Anniversary Sale were better than expected, with same-store sales during the first 16 days down 6.6 percent vs. the same days during the sale last year.

American Apparel

Same-store sales: down 13 percent

Total No. of stores: 275

Note: The company was up a tough comparison with same-store sales rising 25 percent in July 2008.

Hot Topic

Total same-store sales: down 8.5 percent

Hot Topic stores: down 8.8 percent

Torrid stores: down 7.6 percent

Total No. of stores: 835

Abercrombie & Fitch

Total company same-store sales: down 28 percent

Same-store sales by chain:

Hollister: down 32 percent

Ruehl: down 28 percent

Abercrombie: down 27 percent

Abercrombie & Fitch: down 25 percent

Total No. of stores: 1,132

Aeropostalé

Same-store sales: up 6 percent

Total No of stores: 927

Note: this low cost chain continues to do well in the recession.