NATION Sales heat up in July for retail sector

NEW YORK (AP) -- Retailers finally got a break in July as warm weather and heavy discounting helped lift sales above expectations for many merchants, even the struggling department store sector.
All segments of the retail industry appeared to benefit from an improved selling environment. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the industry leader, boosted its profit outlook for the second quarter.
J.C. Penney Co. Inc., Kohl's Corp. and Gap Inc. were among the retailers reporting sales that beat analysts' forecasts.
Even May Department Stores Co., which has struggled with sales declines, eked out a solid increase in sales at stores open at least a year, surpassing analysts' forecasts. Sales at stores open at least a year, known as same-store sales, are considered the best indicator of a retailer's health.
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi's same-store sales tally of 77 retailers was up 4.3 percent, well above the 3 percent gain analysts had expected. That compares with a 2.6 percent increase in the year-ago period.