Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT) announced its same-store sales dropped 3.5% this month, which was by far the worst since it began reporting monthly sales 28 years ago. Excuses from the company included bad weather, an early Easter and near-record gasoline prices that collectively put a huge damper on consumer spending at the world's largest retailer.

Five other retailers also cut their fiscal first-quarter earnings forecasts after reporting similar drops in same-store sales figures. These included Sage Stores, Pacific Sunwear of California, Children's Place Retail Stores, Cato, and New York & Co. Meanwhile, Ambercrombie & Fitch and Aeropostale saw similar slides around 15% in same-store sales, which indicates that the trends are affecting high-end fashion retailers as well.

Same-store sales are considered one of the best indicators of consumer spending strength, brand recognition and other factors affecting a retailers' net income. For more information on how to analyze retailers using this metric, see our article How to Analyze the Retail Industry.

Related Companies
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST)
Target Corporation (TGT)
Cost-U-Less Inc. (CULS)