Company expects loss in earnings per share for the first quarter to be in a range of $0.05 to $0.10 compared to previous guidance range of $0.20 to $0.30.

Kohl’s Corporation (KSS) reported total sales for the five-week period ended April 4, 2009 increased 0.5% from a year ago. On a comparable basis same store sales fell 4.3% in the month.

Total sales for the quarter and year to-date rose 1.8% and on a comparable store basis, sales for the year decreased 3.2%.

Luxury Stores Sales Weakness Persists

Dillard's, Inc. (DDS) reported sales for the five weeks ended April 4, 2009 declined 21% to $4.90 billion compared to a year ago period. Comparable same store sales fell 19%.

Sales for the nine weeks ended April 4, 2009 decreased 18% to $9.88 billion from a year ago period. For the period comparable same store sales also declined 16%.

Saks Inc. (SKS) April sales decreased 24.2% to $209.4 million compared to $276.2 million in the month last year. Comparable store sales fell 23.6% for the month.

For the year-to-date ended April 4, 2009 total sales declined 25.3% to $3.76 billion compared to $5.04 billion in the prior year period. Comparable same store sales decreased 24.6% for the fiscal year.

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) for the five-week period ended April 4 preliminary sales decreased 10.1% to $674 million from $750 million in the month a year ago. Same store sales fell 13.5% in the month.

Preliminary quarter-to-date sales decreased 10.5% to $1.14 billion compared to $1.28 billion for the same period in 2008. Quarter-to-date same store sales decreased 14.3%.

Apparel Retailers Sales Decline

Aeropostale, Inc. (ARO) net sales for the five-week period ended April 4 increased 13% to $160.5 million from $141.8 million in the month a year ago. Same store sales increased 3% for the month meeting the sales rise in the month a year ago.

Year to date total net sales increased 17% to $270.4 million from $231.5 million in the year ago period. Year to date same store sales increased 6% compared to increase of 4% in the period of year ago.

The company expects earnings for the first quarter to be approximately $0.32 per share compare to previous guidance of $0.22 to $0.24 per diluted share.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) for the five-week period ended April 4 sales decreased 9% to $242.6 million from $267.3 million in the month a year ago.

Comparable same store sales decreased 16% in the month compared to a declined of 12% in the month a year ago.

Total year-to-date in the nine week period decreased 5% to $419.8 million compared to $442.4 million in the year ago period. Comparable same stores sales decreased 13% for the year compared to the same period last year.

Management guided revising first quarter earnings per share to be 6 cent to 7 cent compared to 21 cent last year.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) reported net sales in the five-week period ended April 4 fell 29% to $235.1 million from $330.2 million prior month period. Comparable store sales decreased 34%. March direct-to-consumer total net sales decreased 23% to $19.8 million from a year ago month.

Year-to-date sales decreased 27% to $409.7 million from $559.1 million in the year ago period. Comparable year-to-date sales fell 33%. For the year-to-date direct-to-consumer net sales decreased 20% to $33.9 million.