comparable sales

Retailers forecast that 2011 will be a year spent dealing with inflation, expanding stores and trying to wean shoppers off their markdown habit. Faced with rising costs that are pushing their prices higher, merchants say they have to focus on growing sales, regardless of the economic pressures.

McDonald's (MCD) said that sales at stores open at least one year rose 4.8% in November from a year earlier. Comparable sales rose 4.9% in Europe and the United States, and by 2.4% in the rest of the world, the company said in a statement. "Contemporary locations, quality food and beverages at...

Walgreens (WAG) said November sales at stores open at least one year rose 3.2% from a year earlier, excluding sales at Duane Reade stores. The effect of calendar day shifts boosted comparable sales by 1.5 percentage points, Walgreens said in a statement. Total sales in November rose 8.6% from a...

Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) said sales at stores open at least one year rose 9% in the four weeks ending Nov. 28, compared with the same period a year ago. Comparable sales in the U.S. rose 7%, while comparable sales at international stores gained 13%, the company said in a statement. For the...

Target reported Wednesday morning that net earnings grew 22.6% in the third quarter, beating estimates, as sales rose 3% and the company got a boost from its credit card business. The company also expects fourth quarter comparable sales to be the best they've been in the past three years.

The East Coast heat wave is warming up more than sidewalks: It's also helping retailers shake up sales. Merchants are expected to report healthy numbers when they post their June sales figures Thursday, and several could update their second-quarter guidance as a result.