Macys, Inc. reported total sales of $5.1 billion for the five weeks ended Dec. 29, 2012, an increase of 3.6 percent compared with total sales of $4.92 billion in the five weeks ended Dec. 31, 2011. On a same-store basis, Macys, Inc. sales were up 4.1 percent.

Same-store sales increased by 2.5 percent for November and December 2012 combined as compared to the same period in 2011.

Last month was our fourth consecutive December with same-store sales growth, which is indicative of the sustainability of our key business strategies, said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Macys, Inc. While the rate of growth was somewhat less than we had expected in the first two months of the fourth quarter, it came amid some significant headwinds from uncertain economic news and the lingering effects of Hurricane Sandy. All said, we are proud of our accomplishments in driving growth this holiday season and we believe we continued to gain market share.

In particular, we are pleased with the significant progress we made this holiday season in implementing our Omnichannel initiatives through a period of high sales volume. Our new process for satisfying store and online orders through both our online fulfillment centers and fulfillment stores led us to make better use of our inventories and drive sales that otherwise would have been lost when we ran out of stock locally in certain items, Lundgren said.

For the year to date, Macys, Inc. sales totaled $25.887 billion, up 3.3 percent from total sales of $25.068 billion in the first 48 weeks of 2011. On a same-store basis, Macys, Inc.s year-to-date sales were up 3.3 percent.

Online sales (macys.com and bloomingdales.com combined) were up 51.7 percent in December and 40.4 percent in 2012 year-to-date compared with the same periods in 2011. Online sales are included in the same-store sales calculation for Macy’s, Inc.

The company now expects same-store sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 to increase by between 3 percent and 3.5 percent. This compares with previous guidance for fourth quarter sales to be up by approximately 4.2 percent. Earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter now are expected to be in the range of $1.91 to $1.96, excluding costs associated with the previously announced debt tender offer and the store closings costs. This compares with previous earnings guidance in the range of $1.94 to $1.99 per diluted share, excluding those costs.

Including the 21 cents per diluted share for costs associated with the debt tender offer and store closings, earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2012 are now expected to be in the range of $1.70 to $1.75.

In a separate release, Macy’s said it was closing six stores as part of normal-course adjustments to its portfolio. They include a Bloomingdales in Fashion Show Home Store, Las Vegas, NV and five Macy’s locations (Paseo Colorado, Pasadena, CA; Belmont, MA; Downtown Honolulu, HI; Downtown St. Paul, MN; and Downtown Houston, TX). Once all of these changes have been implemented, Macys will operate 798 stores.

We remain committed to operating a successful and growing stores business as part of our companys Omnichannel strategy for serving customers wherever, whenever and however they prefer to shop, said Karen M. Hoguet, chief financial officer of Macys, Inc. This leads us to open new stores where we see the opportunity to fill gaps in important markets, as well as to make the tough decision to selectively close underperforming stores that no longer meet our performance requirements or where leases are not being renewed.