Interesting details from Macy's call

- While same-store sales fell 2.1 percent during the quarter and total sales fell 3 percent, Macy's executives are happy they are outperforming other department store competitors.

- The strongest regions were the Northeast and Texas while the West and upper Midwest were weak.

- The best categories were jewelry, cosmetics, shoes, men's furnishings, men's collections, housewares and mattresses.

- Weak categories included ready to wear, intimate apparel, men's classification sportswear, children's, textiles and tabletops.

- Macy's expects the third quarter to be weaker than the fourth quarter.

- Bloomingdale's is still one of the company's best performers.

- Macy's is ordering conservatively for spring.

- There are no major plans to close a significant number of stores.

- While ready-to-wear has not been performing well, there are a few bright spots: denim, skinny jeans, vests, knit tops and the tunic silhouette. Dresses have also improved.