LOS ANGELES — Retailers beat June gloom last month, delivering surprisingly strong sales results thanks to lower gas prices, widespread discounting and warm weather, which led many shoppers to hit the stores for summer clothing.
Major chain stores posted a 6.5 percent year-over-year increase in sales, better than the 4.9 percent that analysts had been expecting, according to Thomson Reuters’ tally of 25 retailers Thursday. Every retail category, including discounters, department stores and apparel sellers, posted gains that beat estimates.
At the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Calif., several shoppers Wednesday said they had been shopping more freely.
Leah Herndon, a stay-at-home mom from Pacific Palisades, Calif., went on a buying spree last month, purchasing workout clothes, shoes, jeans and tops for herself and summer clothing for her two daughters.
“I did a lot of shopping in June because there were a lot of sales,” she said. “I took advantage. My kids and I all needed stuff desperately. I think we all got our fair share.”
June’s top performers reflected a well-rounded mix of stores. Warehouse club Costco said sales rose 14 percent; apparel company Limited Brands posted a 12 percent gain; luxury department store Saks reported an 11.9 percent rise; and teen retailer Zumiez said sales were up 9.8 percent.
Results are based on sales at stores open at least a year, known as same-store sales and considered a good barometer of a retailer’s health because it excludes store openings and closings.
