Gap widens between discounters, department stores

Second-quarter profits from major retailers underscore a widening gap between low-price operators and high-end apparel sellers as consumers focus on necessities and avoid discretionary splurges.

Here's a snapshot of this week's results, including same-store sales, or sales at stores opened at least a year, which are a key barometer of a retailer's health.

_Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest merchant:

PROFIT: Up 17 percent

SALES: Up 10 percent

SAME-STORE SALES: Up 4.5 percent

OUTLOOK: Raised full-year forecast

— Kohl's Corp., a mid-level chain:

PROFIT: Down 12 percent

SALES: Up 3.8 percent

SAME-STORE SALES: Down 4.6 percent

OUTLOOK: Raised full-year forecast

— J.C. Penney Co., department store chain:

PROFIT: Down 36 percent

SALES: Down 2.5 percent

SAME-STORE SALES: Down 4.3 percent

OUTLOOK: Third-quarter outlook below analyst expectations; no full-year change.

_Macy's Inc., department store chain:

PROFIT: Down 1 percent

SALES: Down 3 percent

SAME-STORE SALES: Down 2.1 percent

OUTLOOK: Lowered full-year forecast

— Nordstrom Inc., an upscale department store:

PROFIT: Down 21 percent

SALES: Down 4.3 percent

SAME-STORE SALES: Down 6 percent

OUTLOOK: Lowered full-year guidance

Back To Top

	Macy's says 2Q profit falls, cuts outlook for year	Associated Press	Tue Aug 12	0
	Retailers face frugal shoppers through 2009	Associated Press	Fri Aug 15	0