Same-store sales for December 2011 were up 4.2%. This year, sales slowed during mid-month but picked back up toward the end. Only by then, significant markdowns reignited sales and that may hurt retailers’ earnings.
To recap a few of the major retailers' reports:
Target reported flat sales
Macy’s saw same-store sales increase by 4.1%, it’s fourth consecutive month of increases
Kohl’s posted a 3.4% gain, better than the estimates for 1.2%