The nation's stores posted a second consecutive month of sales increases in October, the retailing industry's best performance in more than a year.

Results at chains as varied as Costco and Saks were clearly helped by easy comparisons to the dismal results of a year ago, but also by October's cool weather and Columbus Day sales. Retailing analysts said sales also might have been driven by pent-up demand.

Overall, the industry reported a 1.8 percent increase at stores open at least a year, according to Thomson Reuters. Retailers have not reported a sales increase that large since June 2008, when the industry's sales rose 2 percent. Nearly every sector had sales gains in October.

In a statement yesterday, Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director of research for the International Council of Shopping Centers, called the results "further evidence of retail recovery."

Clothing chains selling designer names at bargain-basement prices were the top performers. Sales at TJX stores open at least a year, a measure of retail health known as same-store sales, increased 10 percent. TJX, which owns stores including TJ Maxx and Marshall's, has been on a roll for months as consumers shop for bargains.

Other discounters reported healthy numbers, including Costco (up 5 percent) and Kohl's, which had its fourth consecutive month of positive sales. October sales increased 1.4 percent at Kohl's, though that was lower than analysts were expecting.

Sales at Target decreased slightly, by 0.1 percent, yet its same-store sales of clothing were slightly stronger -- a sign that consumers are beginning to spend discretionary dollars.

Wal-Mart Stores, the nation's largest chain, stopped reporting monthly sales figures in April.

Same-store sales at department stores -- a group that was struggling even before the recession -- declined slightly, falling 0.9 percent, according to Thomson Reuters. Even so, some department stores had sales growth for the first time in months. Same-store sales increased even at such upscale chains as Nordstrom (up 6.5 percent) and Saks (up 0.7 percent).

Other department stores did not fare as well. Sales declined at Stein Mart (down 4.9 percent), J.C. Penney (down 4.5 percent) and Macy's (down 0.8 percent).

Retailers catering to teenage shoppers posted the weakest results, with same-store sales declining 5.8 percent, according to Thomson Reuters. Sales fell at Abercrombie & Fitch (down 15 percent), Limited Brands (down 4 percent), Hot Topic (down 2.6 percent) and Wet Seal (down 1.3 percent).

American Eagle Outfitters reported October sales started off well and then slowed significantly, contributing to a 5 percent drop in sales at established stores.

The South Side teen retailer said total sales for the four weeks ended Oct. 31 also dropped 5 percent to $195.1 million from $204.8 million in the same period last year.

Despite being disappointed by those results, a company spokeswoman said in a recorded sales call that American Eagle officials were optimistic about the potential for stronger sales over the next several weeks. She said the retailer had offered fewer promotions this year.

American Eagle said sales for the third quarter, which ended Oct. 31, fell 1 percent to $749 million vs. $754 million last year. Sales in stores open at least a year dropped 4 percent in the quarter.

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