In total, January sales at several leading retailers are up 3.3%. This increase, which is much better than the 5.7% decline that was reported last year, was fueled by gift card redemptions and clearance sales. Not only was this increase better than last year but it beat expectations. Analysts had reported an expected monthly gain of 2.5%. Further adding to the good news, retailers had complained that bad weather had kept many shoppers away. This increase in sales for January marks the 5th straight month of increased consumer sales. At 5 months, this is starting to look like a trend and not an accident or something temporary. This trend in turn could fuel optimism that consumer spending is on the rebound. However, others caution that the numbers could just look good because the numbers from last year were so abysmal. Among those that gained last were Costco, which, assisted by increased gas prices, had an 8% same-store sales gain. This beat out expectations of only 7.8% Macy's was expected to have a flat performance but instead saw 3.4% gain and as a result raised its profits forecast for the fourth quarter. Limited Brands, which is the parent company of Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works, had 6% increase in same-store sals. It was expected to merely have 0.5% in gains. This same time last year, Gap Inc. was announcing a 23% drop in sales. This year it posted a 5% increase and, in turn, upped is fourth quarter earnings expectations. Retailers have been able to adjust fairly well to the recession by controlling their inventory, keeping interesting products on the shelves, and bringing down prices. So far it seems to be working. One sector of the retail market that has not been doing so well is the specialty teen sector. Stores like Wet Seal and Hot Topic both saw earnings drop.  Americans Are Shopping Again In total, January sales at several leading retailers are up 3.3%. This increase, which is much better than the 5.7% decline that was reported last year, was fueled by gift card redemptions and clearance sales. Not only was this increase better than last year but it beat expectations. Analysts had reported an expected monthly gain of 2.5%. Further adding to the good news, retailers had complained that bad weather had kept many shoppers away. This increase in sales for January marks the 5th straight month of increased consumer sales. At 5 months, this is starting to look like a trend and not an accident or something temporary. This trend in turn could fuel optimism that consumer spending is on the rebound. However, others caution that the numbers could just look good because the numbers from last year were so abysmal. Among those that gained last were Costco, which, assisted by increased gas prices, had an 8% same-store sales gain. This beat out expectations of only 7.8% Macy's was expected to have a flat performance but instead saw 3.4% gain and as a result raised its profits forecast for the fourth quarter. Limited Brands, which is the parent company of Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works, had 6% increase in same-store sals. It was expected to merely have 0.5% in gains. This same time last year, Gap Inc. was announcing a 23% drop in sales. This year it posted a 5% increase and, in turn, upped is fourth quarter earnings expectations. Retailers have been able to adjust fairly well to the recession by controlling their inventory, keeping interesting products on the shelves, and bringing down prices. So far it seems to be working. One sector of the retail market that has not been doing so well is the specialty teen sector. Stores like Wet Seal and Hot Topic both saw earnings drop.  Americans Are Shopping Again In total, January sales at several leading retailers are up 3.3%. This increase, which is much better than the 5.7% decline that was reported last year, was fueled by gift card redemptions and clearance sales. Not only was this increase better than last year but it beat expectations. Analysts had reported an expected monthly gain of 2.5%. Further adding to the good news, retailers had complained that bad weather had kept many shoppers away. This increase in sales for January marks the 5th straight month of increased consumer sales. At 5 months, this is starting to look like a trend and not an accident or something temporary. This trend in turn could fuel optimism that consumer spending is on the rebound. However, others caution that the numbers could just look good because the numbers from last year were so abysmal. Among those that gained last were Costco, which, assisted by increased gas prices, had an 8% same-store sales gain. This beat out expectations of only 7.8% Macy's was expected to have a flat performance but instead saw 3.4% gain and as a result raised its profits forecast for the fourth quarter. Limited Brands, which is the parent company of Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works, had 6% increase in same-store sals. It was expected to merely have 0.5% in gains. This same time last year, Gap Inc. was announcing a 23% drop in sales. This year it posted a 5% increase and, in turn, upped is fourth quarter earnings expectations. Retailers have been able to adjust fairly well to the recession by controlling their inventory, keeping interesting products on the shelves, and bringing down prices. So far it seems to be working. One sector of the retail market that has not been doing so well is the specialty teen sector. Stores like Wet Seal and Hot Topic both saw earnings drop.