Retailers Post Surprise Gain in March Sales, Led by Costco

Retailers posted surprise sales gains last month after rising U.S. employment prompted shoppers to spend more at chains including Costco Wholesale Corp., Saks Inc. and Limited Brands Inc.’s Victoria’s Secret.

Same-store sales at Victoria’s Secret rose 19 percent, more than 10 times the rate predicted by estimates compiled by Retail Metrics Inc. Industrywide, retailers posted a jump of 2.2 percent, compared with the average projection for a 0.5 percent drop.