The Menomonee Falls department store chain reported a 1.4% increase last month at stores open at least a year. Analysts reporting to Retail Metrics, a Massachusetts research firm, were expecting Kohl's sales to rise by 4.9%, on a same-store basis.
Even so, Kohl's raised its earnings forecast for the third quarter to a range of 60 to 61 cents a share, up from the earlier guidance for earnings of 52 to 54 cents a share. The consensus estimate from analysts is 57 cents for the third quarter.
Across the country, sales were up 2.1% at chain stores, according to a tally by the International Council of Shopping Centers. It was the strongest showing since July 2008.
Retailers are facing an easier comparison this fall, which is the anniversary of the stock market plunge in 2008.
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