The round of October like-for-like sales showed a generally negative picture as consumer confidence continues to struggle in the US.

Of the few positive results, most came from retailers operating at the top and bottom of the market. Upmarket department store chain Nordstrom, for example, reported a 6% lift in like-for-like sales, while off-price retailer TJX, which operates as TJ Maxx in the US, saw a gain of 10%.

At discount superstore operator Target, like-for-likes slipped 0.1% and Macy’s posted a fall of 0.8%. At JC Penney like-for-likes declined 4.5%, but at rival Kohl’s they climbed 1.4%.
Fashion specialists continued to struggle, with Abercrombie & Fitch like-for-like sales plummeting 15% and Limited Brands - which owns Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works - down 4%. However, Gap managed a surprising 4% rise.

Meanwhile, club store operator Costco was up by 5% on a like-for-like basis, but rival BJ’s experienced a 1.1% decline.

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