Retailers Report Sales Declines in February

Nordstrom Inc. posted a 15.4% drop in same-store sales, deeper than the 14.4% decline expected.

Limited Brands Inc., which operates Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works, posted a decline of 7%. Analysts expected a drop of 7.1%. Stage Stores said same-store sales fell 8.6%, less than the 9.3% drop analysts expected.

Teen retailer American Eagle Outfitters Inc. posted a 7% decline, less than the 13.4% drop forecast by Wall Street. The Wet Seal Inc. posted a 6.6% decline, less than the 12% drop expected by analysts.

But The Buckle Inc. posted a 21% increase in February, far above the 9% gain expected. And Hot Topic Inc. reported Wednesday that its same-store sales rose 10.8%, more than double what analysts predicted, as teens snapped up accessories.