January 2019 US Same-Store Sales: Costco Misses Consensus, L Brands Comps Decline

Executive Summary

Coresight Research’s monthly reports keep you up to date on US and UK retail sales, US retail traffic and in-store metrics, selected US retailers’ same-store sales and key global consumer indicators. Click here to view our full collection of Monthly Reports.

Our monthly US Same-Store Sales Report reviews comparable sales metrics reported by Costco, Buckle and Cato.

Highlights from our January US Same-Store Sales report:

• Costco’s same-store sales growth in January slowed from December 2018 and was lower than consensus.
• Costco’s international business looked strong, led by growth in Spain, Taiwan and Korea.
• Among specialty retailers, comparable sales at Buckle and L Brands fell further in January, 2.2% and 1.0% respectively, following declines in December 2018. Cato posted healthy comp growth as it benefitted from favorable weather this year.