Retailers Ring Up Robust Sales

As for other specialty clothing chains, AnnTaylor's (ANN Quote) same-store sales increased 6.1%, well ahead of Wall Street's estimate of 1.3%. The company said results were helped by the warm weather in the beginning of the month and the earlier timing of Easter this year.

Limited Brands(LTD Quote), owner of chains including Express, Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, recorded an 8% climb in same-store sales. Analysts expected a 6.7% rise.

Among department stores, J.C. Penney(JCP Quote) reported same-store sales growth of 10.6%, ahead of Wall Street's estimate for a 7.5% increase. Total company sales increased 10.7% to $1.71 billion.

Results for the month were driven by strength in apparel categories, Penney said, while home continued to experience some weakness.

Kohl's(KSS Quote) said comp sales increased 16.8%, smashing Wall Street's estimate of 9.2%. Total sales increased 25.4% to $1.55 billion.

Kohl's raised its first-quarter same-store sales view to 5% from a prior forecast for a 2% to 4% rise. The projection implies a March/April combined comparable sales increase of 5% to 6%.

Luxury store operator Nordstrom(JWN Quote) said same-store sales increased 15%, easily beating Wall Street's forecast of 8.2%. Sales increased 14.2% to $803.2 million.

Saks(SKS Quote), also a high-end retailer, said comps increased 10.1%, below Wall Street's estimate for 13% growth. That came after the company had a blowout month in February, when same-store sales surged nearly 25%.