Clothing Sales Give Retailers a Boost in April

The Easter holiday and spring weather lured consumers back into stores in April and gave apparel retailers a much needed sales boost, according to results announced Thursday by several of the nation’s big retail companies.

Many retailers that had a disappointing March fared better last month as they sold more clothes, but those dependent on sales of more expensive items continued to lag behind.

Woolworth Corp. had an 18.2% sales gain in April at stores open at least a year and a 21.1% increase overall.

Results from stores open a year or longer--known as same- or comparable-store sales--give a more accurate reading of a retailer’s performance. Industry analysts therefore give them more weight than overall sales figures.

MAJOR RETAILERS’ SALES IN APRIL

In millions % of dollars 1990 change Sears 2,520 +1.6 Wal-Mart Stores 2,380 +20.0 J.C. Penney 1,040 -1.7 Melville Corp. 618.7 +21.9 Woolworth * 421.0 +21.1 TJX ** 174.6 +6.9

* Excludes foreign sales. ** Formerly Zayre