August comp store sales results were cause for both relief and concern this year as kids went back to school and boosted the monthly results as they picked up new fashion product that included more skinny jeans and fashion athletic footwear. But the market is still a bit anxious as economic factors such as gas prices and a slowing housing market (both new homes and re-financing) puts pressure on the consumer’s wallets. While families were taking money out of their homes a year ago to fund their fast-paced lifestyles, more are wondering this year how they will pay for that balloon payment or higher ARM rates in the coming year, issues that have retailers concerned about the holiday selling season ahead.

Based on a survey of 52 chain stores, the International Council of Shopping Centers estimates that August comps rose just 2.9%.

Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. said it was disappointed with its August sales results, but were also encouraged by the sales trends that developed throughout the month. Total sales for the month through August 26 declined 4.0% to $168.8 million from $175.7 million in August last year. Total company same-store sales decreased 9.4%, with PacSun same-store sales decreasing 8.9% and d.e.m.o. comps falling 14.1% for the period versus August last year.

Management said they are entering September “in a much stronger position” than they entered August. The first week of August comped down in the mid-teens, while the last week was down in mid-singles.

At PacSun, the guys apparel business was down in the mid-singles as a strengthening of the shorts and short-sleeved wovens was offset by weakness in fleece, denim, t-shirts, and accessories. The girls apparel business fared worse, posting a comp sales decline in the high-teens for the month as strength in shorts and swim were more than offset by weakness in tee’s, fleece, and accessories. Girls basic denim comped positive, but was more than offset by weakness in fashion denim. The guys footwear business comped positive, but total footwear still comped down in low-single-digits, which is a positive trend from the last quarter.

At d.e.m.o., the guys business was down in the mid-teens and the girls business comped down in low-double-digits.

Overall, PSUN said the total average transaction value for comp stores was up in low-single-digits, while the average unit retail was down in low-singles and items per transaction were up in low-single-digits. Total comp transactions were down in low-double-digits.

The Buckle, Inc. had a negative August as well, comping down 8.5% for the month on top of a 3.5% decline in August last year. Total net sales decreased 5.0% to $51.5 million from net sales of $54.2 million in August last year.

Zumiez Inc. also saw its girls business affect its August comps as the 4.7% comp sales gain for the month came in at roughly half the positive gain from the same month last year. Total net sales jumped 36.4% to $33.7 million for the month from $24.7 million in August last year. The comp sales gain was most significant in the last week of the month, which was up 7.1% from last year.

ZUMZ said comps were driven by an increase in average unit retail, offset a bit by a slight decline in store transactions. The juniors business posted a comp sales decline for the month, and the men’s business was described as the “primary positive contributor” as all other departments comped positive.