The late arrival of summer weather in June gave a helping hand to US retailers as seasonal clothing promotions kicked off.
Gap, continuing its revival, reported particularly strong performance at its Old Navy chain, where there was a same-store increase of 11 per cent. Like-for-like sales at the eponymous Gap US chain increased by 8 per cent.
A Gap spokeswoman said: 'Sales met beginning of month expectations as all brands began to clear summer inventory in preparation for the arrival of fall merchandise.'
Gap expects its first shipment of autumn stock to arrive at stores in the week of July 20.
Other clothing retailers saw more modest rises faced with tougher comparisons in June. Limited Brands increased same-store sales by 5 per cent, compared with Bear Stearns estimates of up to 2 per cent. TJX Companies increased by 2 per cent - the low end of Bear Stearns expectations.
Meanwhile, Harry Potter boosted bookseller Barnes & Noble, which reported a 10.5 per cent increase in same-store sales. The retailer said the increase was only 4.9 per cent with the effects of sales of the Potter book, The Order of The Phoenix, stripped out.
Wal-Mart reported an increase in same-store sales of 2.7 per cent and 11.1 per cent overall.
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