February results were the weakest since 2003 but came in above analysts’ estimates, led by discounters with a 3% gain. Department stores and apparel retailers declined 4.2% and 2.1% respectively, missing estimates.

Wal-Mart (WMT: chart) total sales jumped 2.6%, with sales excluding fuel at Wal-Mart chain rising 2.5% and Sam''s Club sales rising 2.8% helped by higher gasoline sales.

Target (TGT: chart) saw sales grow 0.5%, above the estimates of a 0.2% decline. The company attributed the increase to strength in healthcare, consumables and perishables. On the downside, home furnishings, apparel and jewelry products sales disappointed.

Target sees March sales down in the low single digits and April sales up in the mid-single digits because of the Easter timing shift.

Costco Wholesale (COST: chart) reported a 7% increase in same-store sales, equal with expectations.

J.C. Penney (JCP: chart) was among the weakest performers with same-store sales down 6.7%. Nordstrom (JWN: chart) posted a 5.8% drop in same-store sales, below the 3.5% expectations.

Action-sports retailer Zumiez (ZUMZ: chart) posted same-store sales decline of 2.6% for February versus an increase of 12.4% a year ago.