June has been a wacky month for comps with typically steady performers reporting "disappointing" results and other retailers reporting radical swings from prior months. ... Bath & Body Works benefitted from the timing of its sales event, as consumers and management luxuriated in its bubbly results. ... Teenagers were out in force, revisiting old haunts such as Aeropostale and Express as their fresh merchandise caught the eye of the fashionistas, who then accessorized their new duds at Claires. ... There were finds to be found for all budgets with high (Neiman Marcus), middle (AnnTaylor) and value (Stein Mart) shoppers benefitting from strong apparel sales and effective merchandising (different types of products of course!). ... As all units performed exceedingly well in June, including the two that made our Top 10 list, Limited Brands' management delivered "limit"less pleasure. ... Michaels marched on its steady pace as their crafty customers sated creative urges. ... With no place left to go but up, promotions skyrocketed Wilsons onto our list of Top 10 retailers with a nearly 20% gain after reporting declining comps for the better part of a year.

Those radical swings in June were evidenced by the appearance of so many of last June's "strugglers" making this June's list of Rising Stars. ... Double digit negative comps at Lane Bryant and Mervyn's turned into modest gains this year, undoubtedly aiding Target's efforts in divesting this non-core division. ... Also making lemonade out of lemons were Wilsons, Stein Mart, American Eagle and AnnTaylor, the latter three of which were the result of "squeezing" more from their merchandising teams. ... Capitalizing on their forward momentum and the timely sell through of summer merchandise, Aeropostale and Limited Brands racked up another strong June with substantial comp gains. ... You can't win for losing, oh wait - maybe you can, Wet Seal makes the list of Rising Stars and simultaneously the list of Bottom 10 retail performers by converting a 21.5% comp decline into "only" a 10.1% drop.

Chapter 11 proceedings continued to hinder the efforts of several of our Bottom 10 retailers in June as efforts to find a buyer took up the majority of the management time and talent at Spiegel/Eddie Bauer, while Gadzooks continues to feel the effects of its transition to a female only format. ... Proving that stale product will not move at any price, The Bombay Company continues to struggle with clearing its shelves to make room for fresh product. ... Laboring against significantly more competition, Mothers Work is finding it more difficult to deliver for the changing fashion moods of expectant mothers. ... Shoppers don't seem to be able to find the "value" at Value City, looking to other discounters to fill their needs. ... Men have yet to be impressed or have not become aware of the merchandise mix changes at Christopher & Banks as management had envisioned. ... Neither were women "charmed" by the offerings or value offered at Catherines Stores. ... It would appear that busy homemakers are now more interested in buying pre-made decorating accessories for home as evidenced by the appearance of Hancock Fabrics on our Bottom 10 list.

Once mighty, now fallen, most retailers making our list of Falling Stars enjoyed double digit comps gains last June. ... Faltering from their recent rebound, the Gap and its unit Old Navy reported modest declines as did Cache, Catherines and S&K reflecting less favorable merchandise and full wardrobes. ... It would appear that kids were not as appreciative of Dads this year, especially gadget-loving Dads, as evidenced by the "sharp" decline in sales at the Sharper Image and the Bombay Company. ... Women have yet to embrace the new female only format at struggling and bankrupt Gadzooks, while expectant mothers are finding new and more appealing alternatives to Mothers Work. ... Feet have flipped for the more casual "flip-flop" at the expense of traditional sandals and casual footwear at Naturalizer.

June was a so-so month for the Retail Sector with mostly modest comp gains reported on average for the various industries. Slightly below expectations overall, Apparel and Department store comps ran the gamut from the highest highs to the lowest lows. While seemingly better on average, Mass Merchant results were more disappointing with both WalMart and Target subsequently lowering sales guidance for future quarters. The aging population and use of preventative medicines are still a boon to drugstores and most have been able to drive sales at the more profitable front-end as well. The bare styles left faint treadmarks on Footwear comps. Calling Dr. Bombay! Home Furnishing comps were "bewitched" by the Bombay Company although others in this industry counteracted its steep decline.