Skip navigation

'Mixed Signals' in May Sales: Kantar

COLUMBUS, Ohio — May same-store sales reported by major retailers Thursday held steady with a 5.7% gain, but showed the effects of plans by shoppers to curb spending, according to Kantar Retail here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — May same-store sales reported by major retailers Thursday held steady with a 5.7% gain, but showed the effects of plans by shoppers to curb spending, according to Kantar Retail here.

The sales-weighted composite for the 26 retailers reporting was up slightly from the 5.4% gain for the combined March-April period, which eliminates the impact of the Easter calendar shift, Kantar said.

Food, drug and mass retailers — particularly Costco and BJ’s, who benefitted from higher fuel prices — were top performers during the period.

"Spring storms also affected the retail numbers, but there is little doubt that the strongest headwinds slowing sales are from higher prices for food and especially fuel," said Frank Badillo, senior economist for Kantar, said in a statement. "Shoppers are stepping up their response as inflation persists and discretionary purchases from apparel to homegoods are most susceptible in the months ahead."