10:00PM New York – Same store sales dropped at apparel retailers, department stores and at luxury stores.

Falling same store sales trend continued in November as consumers held a tight grip on wallets, despite a fall in gasoline prices at pumps. Consumers are battling weak economic expectations, weakening consumer confidence, and job losses.

Wal-Mart Stores, BJ’ Wholesale Club and Buckle are the only three retailers with rising same store sales every month in the year. And, Buckle is the only retailer with double digit same store sales gains every month.

Discount Stores Sales Growth Sustain

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) November month sales increased 1.6%.

Net sales at Wal-Mart Stores increased 6.5%, at Sam’s Club rose 1.4% and international sales fell 11.0%. November comparable store sales increased at domestic Wal-Mart locations by 3.4% and Sam’s Club by 3.5%.

Without effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuation international sales increased 7.7%.

BJ''s Wholesale Club, Inc (BJ) same store sales in November sales rose 4.1%, excluding gasoline sales, total sales increased 2.1%. Total sales in the month increased 5.2% to $783.2 million from $744.4 million in the prior year month.

Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased approximately 6% from a year ago and average transaction amount increased slightly higher than year ago. Sales of food increased 14% on strong sales of perishable foods. Sales of general merchandise decreased 4% on lower sales of apparel, electronics, jewelry and toys.

Kohl’s Corporation (KSS) reported total sales for the four-week period ended November 29, 2008 increased 13.7% from a year ago. On a comparable basis same store sales fell 17.5% in the month.

Total year-to-date sales declined 0.9% and on a comparable store basis, year-to-date sales decreased 7.7%. Kohl''s has raised more than $102 million for children''s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl''s Cares for Kids(R) philanthropic program.

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) November month net sales decreased 3% to $5.55 billion and for thirteen weeks period ended November 30, 2008 increase of 3% to $17.52 billion.

Comparable sales in the month in the U.S. declined 2%; at international locations fell 15% and across the company declined 5%. Comparable sales excluding gasoline and currency effects rose 1% in the month in the U.S. and gained 6% at international locations and increased 3% across the company.

Department Stores Sales Plunge

Target Corporation (TGT) net retail sales in November decreased 6.1% to $5.61 billion from a prior year month. November comparable store sales declined 10.4%.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCP) reported comparable store sales decreased 11.9% in the month. In the month last year sales fell 5.4%. Total company sales in November declined 11.5%.

Management guided for the five-week period ending Jan. 3, 2009 comparable store sales to decline 7.3%.

Luxury Stores Sales Plunge

Dillard''s, Inc. (DDS) reported sales for the four weeks ended November 29, 2008 declined 10% to $505.75 million compared to a year ago period. Comparable same store sales fell 9%.

Sales for the 43 weeks ended November 29, 2008 were 6% lower to $5.26 billion from a year ago period. For the period comparable same store sales also declined 6%.

Saks Inc (SKS) November sales decreased 4.2% to $332.9 million compared to $347.6 million in the month last year. Comparable store sales fell 5.2% for the month.