Same store sales show mixed results despite generally improving overall retail sales   

Same store sales data show mixed results with 4 of the top 10 retailers posting declining same store sales for the most recent reporting period. Target and Best Buy reported drops of 5.5% and 4.6% respectively. At the same time, 4 other retailers posted same store sales gains of 3% or more, led by Costco's 7%. The results are somewhat disappointing considering gains in overall retail sales numbers, bringing home the message that we are not out of the woods when even some of the best retailers are struggling to achieve adequate sales growth. Results have improved from 2010 when same store sales for the same reporting period showed slower growth or greater declines for 7 of the 10. The retail segment drives a tremendous amount of freight transportation and this data shows that demand for freight transportation is picking up steam.

Source: www.retailerdaily.com , www.stores.org , Transplace analysis, excludes fuel sales.