Nov. Comps Rise 3.5%

NEW YORK CITY-Retailer’s year-over-year same-store sales rose 3.5% in November, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ monthly survey. The increase was “moderate” and driven mainly by promotional sales, says Michael Niemira, ICSC’s chief economist and director of research.

Apparel chains, rising 3.2% as a sector, doubled their year-to-date average monthly increase. As it has for much of the year, Abercrombie & Fitch was the best performer of its peers, soaring 23%. Ann Taylor, jumping 12.9%, and Chico’s FAS, up 11.8%, also turned in strong results. However American Eagle Outfitters, which has posted double-digit gains most months of the year, only crept up 1.7%, due to weaknesses in its women’s department, among other factors.

Department stores, inching up 0.6%, were well below their monthly average increase of 2.1%. While Neiman Marcus, gaining 4%, and J.C. Penney moving up 3.6%, posted solid results, Federated Department Stores, the sector’s largest chain, slid by 3.4%.