KSS Kohls Corporation

Dillard's Inc. (DDS), the leading apparel and home-furnishing retailer in the United States, reported a growth of 11.0% in same-store sales for the four weeks ended April 30, 2011. The sales results were positively impacted by a shift in Easter holiday to April 24 this year from April 4 in the prior year. Merchandise sales for the period shot up 10.3% to $448.4 million compared with $406.3 million in the four weeks ended May 1, 2010.

Comparable store sales and total sales both increased 4% for the nine weeks period ended April 30, 2011. The sales movement was better than the average total company trend in the Central region while below the trend in the Eastern and Western regions. Category wise, sales in the home and furniture category were substantially below trend for the period.

Dillard's posted an increase of 2% in comparable store sales for the thirteen weeks period ended April 30, 2011. Total sales also increased 2% to $1,460.8 million for the period.

In one of the best monthly results of late, retailers in general reported booming sales for the month of April owing largely to a late Easter. Kohl's Corporation (KSS), which competes with Dillard's, reported growth in April same-store sales of 10.2%, with total sales increasing 12.1%. Another peer, J.C. Penney Company Inc. (JCP) also reported an increase of 6.4% in same-store-sales with total sales rising 3.4% in April, 2011. Same-store sales of another competitor Macy's Inc. (M) reported an increase of 10.8% for April while total sales climbed 10.9%.

Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's Inc. is a large departmental store chain in the United States featuring fashion apparel and home furnishings. The company currently operates 306 stores and 9 clearance centers across 29 states, all under the Dillard's brand name. Dillard's Inc.'s stores are mainly located in the Southwest, Southeast and Midwest regions of the US. The company's primary product categories include: women's and junior's apparel; shoes; accessories and lingerie; men's clothing and accessories; cosmetics; home; and children's clothing. Its merchandise mix consists of both branded and private-label items.

Dillard's shares maintain a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term 'Hold' rating. Our long-term recommendation on the stock remains 'Outperform'.

 
DILLARDS INC-A (DDS): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
PENNEY (JC) INC (JCP): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
KOHLS CORP (KSS): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
MACYS INC (M): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Zacks Investment Research