Minneapolis, MN, November 4--Target said on Thursday its sales at stores open at least a year rose 6 percent in October from continuing operations, hitting the top of its forecast range.
The top merchandise areas for the month included shoes, children's apparel, and pharmacy. Weak areas included toys, sporting goods, home improvement, and stationery.
Overall, sales in U.S. West Coast areas were strongest, while the Midwest was the worst performing region, the company said.
The company expects November same-store sales to be up in a range of 2 percent to 4 percent.
Sales from continuing operations, principally Target stores, for the four weeks ended Oct. 30, 2004 rose 12.6 percent to $3.31 billion.
Analysts had expected an October same-store sales increase of 5.8 percent, according to Reuters Estimates.
