Same-Store Sales Due: Tomorrow's Headliners

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Retail stocks will be in focus Thursday as chain stores will report comparable store sales for August, which should show that the consumer continues to be squeezed by credit concerns.

Last month's sales results are expected to pour in ahead of Thursday's opening bell, with analysts expecting an overall decline of 3.8%, according to Thomson Reuters. While that number is still weak, it would mark an improvement from July's 5.1% slide. One year ago, same-store sales rose a paltry 0.2% in August 2008.

While discount and department stores are expected to show another monthly decline, analysts expect teen and child apparel shops to post the largest decline. Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF Quote) likely saw overall sales fall 23.9% last month, and both American Eagle Outfitters (AEO Quote) and Wet Seal (WTSLA Quote) should see declines of more than 9%.

On the other hand, drugstore chains should see comparable-store sales rise, thanks to Walgreen(WAG Quote). On Wednesday, the pharmacy chain said its same-store sales rose 1.9% in August, although that figure missed analysts' forecasts.

While Thursday's data will certainly be worth watching, September's sales data will be arguably more important. Thomson Reuters analyst Jharonne Martis said September will be the month to watch as retailers will start facing significantly easier comparisons to year-ago figures.

"Additionally, the shift in the Labor Day weekend moved some August sales into September," she wrote in a research note. "Lastly, teenagers are back in school in September, eying their classmates' outfits and gear, and hitting the malls to shop for the latest trends."