Shoppers Show Fatigue in May Figures

NEW YORK (AP) - Shoppers are showing signs of pulling back on spending on discretionary items like clothing and home goods as gasoline and groceries eat up more of their paychecks.

Those pressures led many retailers on Thursday to report only modest revenue increases in May, the latest sign of the economy hitting a soft patch.

Most of the spring, consumers seemed to shrug off rising prices. Now, gasoline at more than $1 per gallon more than last year and higher grocery bills are "finally taking a bite and affecting sales," said Ken Perkins, president of research firm Retail Metrics. "It definitely raises the caution flag going into the summer."

Revenue rose 5.4 percent overall among 27 retailers at stores open at least a year, according to a preliminary tally by the International Council of Shopping Centers. But that was skewed by the strong positive effect gas price inflation had on retailers that sell gas like Costco Wholesale and BJ's Warehouse Club. Excluding gas, retail revenue rose 3.7 percent.

That is consistent with projections of a 3 percent to 4 percent rise, said Mike Niemira ICSC chief economist and director of research. But that number, while relatively strong, is very uneven.

"On the surface, the numbers look pretty good. Excluding fuel, it isn't bad underlying performance," Niemira said. "But it is being driven by a very narrow set of retailers."

Luxury stores are performing much better than stores that cater to middle- and lower end consumers.

The figures are based on revenue from stores open at least one year, which is considered a key indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes results from stores opened or closed during the year.

Niemira expects the June revenue figure to rise 4 percent to 5 percent, or 3 percent to 4 percent excluding fuel

The retail figures follow disappointing reports on auto sales, manufacturing, hiring and construction spending on Wednesday. The Dow Jones industrial average skidded 280 points Wednesday, losing more than a quarter of the year's gains, on rising economic fears.

Consumer spending is closely watched because it accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity and is critical for a strong economy.

Of 24 retailers, about 60 percent missed expectations and 40 percent beat expectations, according to Thomson Reuters. The reports don't include Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer.

"Our guests continue to shop cautiously in light of higher energy costs and inflationary pressures on their household budgets," Target Corp. CEO Gregg Steinhafel said.

Target's revenue at stores open at least a year rose 2.8 percent, below the 3.5 percent analysts expected, according to FactSet.

Charming Shoppes, the parent of clothing chains Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug, and Destination Maternity, which runs maternity stores including A Pea in the Pod, also reported shoppers were holding back because of rising food and gas prices.

Stores that cater to middle- and lower-income shoppers are feeling the pain far more than more expensive stores. Luxury retailer Saks Inc. reported revenue in stores open at least one year jumped 20.2 percent, far higher than the 6.5 percent analysts expected, as shoppers bought designer clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories.

The figure rose 7.4 percent at Nordstrom Inc., also beating expectations.

Among department stores, Macy's was another standout. The company's revenue figure rose 7.4 percent, ahead of expectations, and the company raised its second-quarter guidance.

But other department stores fared worse. Dillard's, J.C. Penney and Kohl's all missed expectations.

Weather could have weighed on results. May was unseasonably cold and wet, and there were floods along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers and 350 tornadoes reported, according to weather research firm Planalytics.

Summer could be even more difficult, because the surging price of cotton is expected to start showing up in clothing prices. Prices have been creeping up already, Perkins said, but could rise anywhere between 5 percent to 20 percent this summer.

Higher prices plus what appears to be a slowing job market and moribund housing market "sets up potential slow sales this summer," Perkins said.

Still, despite most retailers missing expectations, the majority are still reporting revenue increases, not declines. That's a plus that shouldn't be overlooked, said Chris Donnelly, senior executive in Accenture's retail practice.

"I think there's some cause for continued optimism," he said. "We're still seeing growth despite the gas prices and unemployment, inflation and falling home prices."

Warehouse clubs benefited from rising gas prices, partly because those stores use discounted gasoline to lure shoppers into buying memberships. Costco Wholesale Corp.'s revenue in stores open at least a year rose 13 percent, also helped by the weaker dollar. BJ's Wholesale Club's results rose 7.4 percent.

Gap's results fell 4 percent, with a decline across all brands including Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.

Limited Brands Inc., which owns Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works, reported revenue in stores open at least one year rose 6 percent, slightly short of expectations.

In the teen sector, The Buckle Inc. and Zumiez beat expectations, but Hot Topic and Wet Seal fell short of Wall Street estimates.