Wal-Mart Lone Bright Spot In Februray Retail Report

Retailers posted declines in monthly sales this morning as consumers continued to hold back amid the deepening recession, The Post's Ylan Q. Mui reports.

The notable exception to the rule was Wal-Mart, which reported a 5.1 percent increase in February sales at U.S. stores open at least a year compared to the same month last year -- a key measure of a retailer's health.

Wal-Mart executives said both traffic and average purchase size was up at their stores, and grocery, health and wellness and entertainment were among the best-performing categories.

Meanwhile, rival Target said its same-store sales were down 4.1 percent in February, and Macy's dropped 8.5 percent.

Other retailer posting declines included Limited Brands (7 percent), Saks (26 percent) and Abercrombie & Fitch (30 percent.)

-- Frank Ahrens
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