7:10 AM New York – Retailers pushed goods out the door with the help of deep discounting as shoppers waited till the last minutes to take advantage of bargains. Ross, TJX, Nordstrom and Costco led the monthly same store gains.

December same store retail sales increased at a fastest pace in four years but heavy discounting left profit margins in a state of flux for the industry.

Apparel retailers suffered one of the sharpest declines in margins as cots rose and consumers only responded to deep discounting and the scene across the retail landscape from electronics to teen age accessories to homes goods was no different.

Heavy discounting attracted consumer to stores but not all chains benefited with the consumer interests. Target, J.C. Penney and Kohl’s were forced to revised their earnings expectations lower.

Comparable store sales at Target were weaker than anticipated and J.C. Penney and Kohl’ sales were affected by the earlier store openings at Wal-Mart Stores and several other apparel and electronics retailers.

Wal-Mart Stores no longer release monthly comparable sales data but do release quarterly data.

Comparable sales at 21 companies tracked by 123jump.com increased 3.61% after increasing at 2.4% in November. Monthly comparable sales increased 3.1% at 26 companies in 2011 and rose 2.9% in 2010.

Of the stores tracked, 4 chains reports decline in comparable store sales and two chains comparable sales increased 9% and not a single chain reported double digit increase in sales.

Costco Wholesale Corp led the industry sales with a sharp rise of 9% and better than expected sales increase at Limited, Nordstrom, Saks, Ross Stores and Macy’s.

J.C. Penney struggled with sales but online sales at Macy’s continue to surge for the sixth month in a row. Nordstrom sales soared 8.7% and sales at Saks increased 5.8%.

Costco Sales Growth Flat at 9%

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) reported December net sales increased 9% to $7.51 billion. Comparable sales in the month at the U.S. locations rose 7% and at international locations increased 9%. Costco monthly same store sales growth was flat for the third month in a row since October.

Target Corporation (TGT) net retail sales in the month increased 2.6% to $10.13 billion from a prior year month and comparable sales rose 1.6%. Monthly same store sales were below the expectations of at least 2.5% and were lower than 4% for the third month in a row.

FRED’S, Inc. (FRED) the total sales for the month increased 1% to $213.0 million compared to $210.5 million from a year ago. Comparable store sales rose 0.4%. Fred’s comparable sales increased for the fifth month in a row.

JC Penney, Kohl’s Lower Outlook

Macy''s, Inc (M) December month same store sales increased 5.7% and total sales rose 6.6% to $4.9 billion and online sales in December surged 35.8%. Macy’s same store sales growth was largest among department stores.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc (JCP) reported comparable store sales increased 0.3% and total sales decreased 2.3% to $2.9 billion. Monthly same store sales turned positive for the first time since August. J.C. Penney lowered its earnings expectations to a range between 65 cents to 70 cents from the earlier outlook of $1.05 and $1.15.

Kohl’s Corporation (KSS) reported total sales in the month increased 1.7% to $3.25 billion from a year ago and same store sales decreased 0.1% to in the month. Kohl’s lowered its quarterly earnings per share expectations to a range of $1.70 to $1.73 from the earlier outlook of $1.93 to $2.04.

Nordstrom Leads Luxury Sales Surge

Dillard''s Inc (DDS) reported monthly sales increased 3% to $1.11 billion compared to a year ago period and comparable same store sales increased 4%. Dillard’s reported monthly same store sales increase for the eight months in a row.

Saks Inc. (SKS) monthly sales increased 4.7% to $452.7 million compared to $432.3 million a year ago month and comparable sales increased 5.8%.

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) November sales increased 12.7% to $1.57 billion from $1.39 billion and comparable sales increased 8.7%.

Limited Retains Momentum, Gap Struggles

The Buckle, Inc (BKE) comparable sales in the months increased 8.9% from a year ago and net sales in the month increased 12.4% to $181.8 million.

The Cato Corporation (CATO) sales in December increased 2% to $107.5 million and comparable sales decreased 1%. Monthly same store sales declined for the sixth month in a row.

The Gap, Inc (GPS) net sales in December decreased 1% to $1.98 billion and comparable store sales decreased 4% compared to 2% rise in the prior year month and monthly same store sales declined for the sixth month in a row and rose only one in the last nine months.

Comparable store sales at Gap North America locations fell 4%, at Banana Republic North America were fell 2%, Old Navy North America decreased 4% and at international locations decreased 6%.

Limited Brands, Inc. (LTD) comparable store sales increased 7% and net sales for November increased to $1.87 billion compared to $1.79 billion a year ago month.