Zumiez sales zoom in February

Positive news from Zumiez today as the important industry retailer reported a 11.2% increase in February same store sales.

Total sales rose 19.6% to $27.6 million.

Comps were positive in every week of the period.

Week 1: up 11.9%

Week 2: up 8.9%

Week 3: up 12.3%

Week 4: up 11.8%

The average number of transactions increased, suggesting traffic is improving at the mall.

Stores in the Western half of the U.S. reported a 14% increase in same store sales, in the South, same stores sales increased 13% and in the Midwest, comps rose 6%. The only weak territory was the Northeast, where same stores sales declined 2%, which Zumiez believes was due to the snowy weather.

Several categories reported positive same store sales, including men’s, accessories and boys. Hardgoods, footwear and junior’s had a tough month.

The retailer was up against a relatively easy comparision. In February of 2008, same store sales declined 13.4%.

Zumiez operates 377 stores around the country.