• by Sarah Mahoney , March 3, 2011

It seems that consumers spent February doing something retailers love to see -- not just shopping but also shopping steadily, with retail sales gaining in just about every type of store. That will to spend is especially welcome, experts say, since it means people ignored disruptive winter storms and rapidly rising fuel prices to do so.

Kantar Retail reports that same-store sales grew 4.4% in February, down a tick from last month's 4.9% gain, but a solid increase over the 3.9% reported in February of last year. And the International Council of Shopping Centers, which tracks a slightly different index of stores, says sales rose 4.2%.

Department stores had particularly strong results. JC Penney says its same-store sales jumped 6.4%, with all divisions reporting an increase over last year. Results were strongest in women's apparel and accessories, children's apparel, and fine jewelry. Macy's numbers rose 5.8%, which it said means its customers are reacting well to new spring merchandise at both Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Sales at Kohl's advanced 5%.

High-end chains fared even better, with sales rising 15.3% at Saks, 12.7% at Neiman Marcus, and 7.3% at Nordstrom.

Sales at Limited Brands, which owns Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, hopped a hefty 12%, while sales at TJX, owner of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, increased 3%.

Gains were more subdued at Target, which saw an increase of 1.8%, still in line with expectations. At Walgreens, sales were up 3.1%, and at Rite Aid, 1%.

The month's few losers included the Gap -- down 3% overall, with results declining in its Banana Republic, Old Navy, Gap North American and International divisions. Sales at teen retailer Hot Topic also dropped, slipping 1.4%.

"Higher fuel prices will have an ongoing impact on shoppers, particularly lower-income shoppers," says Frank Badillo, Kantar's senior economist, in its release. "But that impact will be offset somewhat as long as households see a continuing pickup in income and job gains in the months ahead."

"The breadth and the strength of the sales gain in February were encouraging as more retailers and retail segments participated in the improvement," says Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director of research for ICSC, in its report. "This widespread improvement is on the heels of improving labor markets, broader improving economic conditions, and the reduction in payroll tax -- all of which are more than offsetting the potentially negative drag of high fuel and food prices on consumer mindsets."

For March, however, ICSC predicts rougher sledding and a gain of 2%, due to the shift of the Easter holiday, with April rebounding at 5%.