December Sales Gain Modest

The nation’s major retailers today posted modest sales gains for December, their most critical month. The stores’ performances compared with a year earlier were below expectations, analysts said.

A notable exception was K mart Corp., whose sales spurted 12.4% in the five weeks ending Dec. 26. Sears, Roebuck and Co., the largest retailer, said its sales rose 4.6% while J.C. Penney Co., ranked third, reported a 6.8% gain.