3:40 PM New York – Weak sales in November put retailers on an alert for all too important holiday period. The apparel discounters and value retailers gained sales but sales at department stores were weak. Nordstrom sales gained in an otherwise weak luxury sales. Apparel retailers struggled.

Retailers reported a mixed November sales as consumers hold tight on their wallet. Discounters and wholesale clubs continue to gain wallet share of consumers. Luxury retailers’ sales fell sharply in the month.

Retailers expected higher sales and consumers looked for deeper bargains and only four weeks before Christmas holiday period same store sales were one of the weakest in the year.

Retailers at malls and shopping centers in November increased just 0.5% from a year ago according to Thomson Reuters and fell 0.3% according to the International Council of Shopping Centers, the trade association tracking industry sales. The trade group had projected an increase between 5% and 8%.

Wholesale club retailers like Costco and BJ’s reported rising sales as more consumers look for bargains. Discount store sales continue to gain in an otherwise bleak retail environment.

Department store sales declined at most stores. Dillard’s reported double digit decline in sales with a fall of 11% and sales at Macy’s decreased 6.1% and at J. C. Penney dropped 5.9%.

Apparel retailers still struggled. Gap, Cato Corp, TJX and Buckle were the few notable exceptions in the segment where most retailers still struggled to attract customers. Aeropostale and Limited sales increased but sales at Abercrombie & Fitch declined 17%.

Luxury retailers’ sales were mixed in the month. Neiman Marcus sales decreased 12.7% and sales at Nordstrom sales increased 2.2%. Saks sales dropped 25.1% but sales in the period year ago were driven by sharp discounting.

BJ’s and Costco Sustain Same Store Sales Rise

BJ''s Wholesale Club, Inc (BJ) same store sales in November increased 1%, including negative impact from sales of gasoline. Excluding gasoline sales, merchandise club comparable sales increased 1%.

Total sales in the month increased 6.4% from a year ago to $833.6 million.

Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased approximately 3% and the average transaction amount was flat from last year. Sales of food increased 2% on strong sale of perishables. Sales of general merchandise rose approximately 1% compared to last year.

Costco Wholesale Corp (COST) reported November net sales increased 9% to $6.04 billion.

Comparable sales in the month in the U.S. locations rose 2% and at international locations increased 21% and across the company rose 6%.

Excluding the gasoline and currency variations, comparable sales were flat in the month in the U.S. and rose 7% at international locations and increased 2% across the company.

Target Corporation (TGT) net retail sales in November increased 1.5% to $5.69 billion from a prior year month. The comparable sales in November fell 1.5%.

For the year-to-date, total sales were $49.40 billion, a decrease of 0.1% from year ago period. For the year-to-date same-store sales fell 3.6%.

Wal-Mart Stores no longer declares monthly same store sales but provides quarterly same store sales data.

Department Store Sales Decline at a Slower Pace

Macy''s, Inc (M) November same store sales fell 6.1%. Total sales declined 6.3% to $2.18 billion from $2.32 billion a year ago month.