January results for PacSun, Buckle, Urban Outfitters, Macy's and more

The numbers may look grim, but several retailers said January sales met expectations or were a little better than forecast. The Buckle, Urban Outfitters and American Apparel continue to outperform competitors.

PacSun same-store sales

PacSun's in-house Bullhead denim brand continues to drive business at the industry's largest customer.

January: down 11 percent. Comps were negative in each of the four weeks.

Apparel: up 9 percent

Guys apparel: flat. Strength in Bullhead Denim, weakness in T's and fleece.

Girls apparel: up 18 percent. Strength in tops and Bullhead denim.

Accessories and footwear: down 66 percent.

No. of transactions: up high teens

Avg. value of sale: down mid-20s

Q4: down 10 percent

Fiscal 2008: down 5 percent

Inventory: 85 percent of the inventory now at PacSun is less than 90 days old.

Guidance: PacSun reaffirmed its earnings guidance for the fourth quarter and full year.

Other news: PacSun said it will no longer report monthly sales. Instead, it will report sales trends quarterly. Macy's did the same thing last year, but then reversed its decision and is reporting monthly sales again. Urban Outfitters reports quarterly sales only and holiday sales for the months of November and December.

Buckle same-store sales

It appears some consumers continue to shop, particularly at The Buckle.

January: up 14.7 percent

Guys total sales: up 11.5 percent

Guys price points: up 11.5 percent

Strong categories: denim, woven and knit shirts

Women's total sales: up 30.5 percent

Women's price points: up 6.5 percent

Strong categories: denim, knit tops, accessories.

Accessories (both genders): up 18.5 percent

Footwear (both genders): down 8 percent

Q4: up 14.3 percent

Fiscal 2008: up 20.6 percent

Note: The Buckle sent out an email blast today announcing it is now carrying Nixon watches. The email featured photos of 12 different watches.

Urban Outfitters same-store sales

Urban Outfitter stores also continue to outperform competitors.

Q4 company-wide: down 1 percent

Q4 Urban Outfitters: up 3 percent

Q4 Anthropologie: down 6 percent

Q4 Free People: down 13 percent

Fiscal 2008 companywide: up 8 percent

American Apparel same-store sales

January: up 2 percent

Macy's same-store sales

January: down 4.5 percent

Q4: down 7 percent, slightly better than the negative 7.5 percent forecast

Fiscal 2008: down 4.6 percent

Inventories: down 7.4 percent at year end

Nordstrom same-store sales

January: down 11.4 percent

Strong categories: women's and juniors apparel, cosmetics

Strong regions: South, Mid-Atlantic, Northwest

Q4: down 12.5 percent

Fiscal 2008: down 9 percent

Note: Nordstrom Rack (outlet) stores recorded comp store declines in January and the fourth quarter.

Abercrombie & Fitch same-store sales

Industry competitor A & F continues to pay the price for not discounting.

January companywide: down 20 percent

Abercrombie & Fitch stores: down 16 percent

Abercrombie stores: down 24 percent

Hollister: down 24 percent

Ruehl: down 17 percent