P.M. BRIEFING : Major Store Chains Post April Sales Tallies; Easing of Spending Seen

The country’s biggest store chains today posted varied April sales tallies and analysts said more spring-like weather in the latter half of the month spurred seasonal purchases, partly compensating for earlier weakness.

Jeffrey Feiner, an analyst with Merrill Lynch & Co., said sales on an industry-wide basis this year have barely outpaced the inflation rate, indicating that consumer spending, a key element in economic growth, is easing. Feiner has scaled down his forecast for average 1989 retail sales growth to 5.5% from 6%, based on sales results so far this year.

Nonetheless, analysts found some signs in the April figures indicating that shopping momentum is picking up, particularly for women’s clothing and seasonal goods.

Sears Roebuck and Co., the nation’s biggest retailer, said its low-price policy introduced earlier this year continued to attract shoppers. Sears said its sales rose 9.2% to $2.5 billion in the four weeks ended April 29 from the same period a year ago. No. 2-ranked K mart’s sales in the four weeks totaled $2.05 billion, up 2.3%. Fast-growing Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said its sales rose 25% in April to $1.98 billion from $1.58 billion.