Even discount behemoth Wal-Mart failed to meetcomparable stores expectations during the first month of the year, typically aperiod when U.S. shoppers are searching for bargains from post-holidayclearance sales. Comps at WMT inched 0.5% higher in Jan., below Streetexpectations of 2.0%, but ahead of retailers in the sportinggoods/footwear/apparel space that reported monthly figures. An examination ofall retailers reporting Jan. comparable sales shows that warehouse cluboperators, BJ’s Wholesale (+7.8%) and Costco (+7.0%), were among the biggestbenefactors of tighter-fisted U.S. consumers while most specialty apparelretailers, led by Chico’s FAS (-22.1%), reported negative same store sales.

A closer look at the sporting goods sector shows:

·       Pacific ... Log in to view full article.