• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, August 8, 2008

Consumers didn't do much shopping in July, and as major retailers crank out their monthly sales reports, it's evident that only a handful of stores have anything to brag about.

Wal-Mart posted a 3% gain in July same-store sales, while rival Target struggled, with sales slipping 1.2%. Drug stores held their own, and wholesale clubs had an excellent month, with sales at BJ's Wholesale Club climbing 16.7% (or 7%, excluding the sharp increase in gas prices), Costco 10% (or 6%, excluding the impact of gas prices) and Wal-Mart's Sam's Club division gaining 7.3% (or 3.5% without gas.)

But most other stores suffered. Overall, July same-store sales growth slowed to 2.8% from the prior month, and stayed about the same as prior-year results, says TNS Retail Forward, which tracks about 40 retailers in its index. "The summer spike in fuel and food prices is causing shoppers to pare back their plans for tax rebates and back-to-school spending," the Columbus, Ohio-based consulting company says in its analysis of the results. "That's clearly squeezing spending on retail goods other than food and gas."

For department stores, demographics didn't matter: Consumers of all income levels spurned shopping. Kohl's posted a hefty 10.4% decrease, and sales at JCPenney declined 6.5%; Nordstrom 6.1%; Saks 5.6%; and Neiman Marcus 1.7%.

Two teen retailers had good news, with Buckle continuing its impressive performance with a 20.9% same-store increase, and Aeropostale posting an advance of 13%. But Wet Seal's sales slid 8.2%, both Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters dropped 7%, and Hot Topic's sales fell 2.1%.

Some stores, of course, are suffering from problems much bigger than the economy. The Gap, now years-deep into its steady downward spiral, says overall, same-store sales decreased 11%. But troubles at its Old Navy division, where sales sank 16%, are more pronounced. And Chico's FAS continues to flounder, with sales down 18.5%.