US apparel sellers are seeing customers returning to stores. Customers returning to schools and offices are shopping more at physical stores following the easing of Covid curbs. People stuck at home during lockdowns turned to comfortable joggers and sweatshirts, but reopening of schools, workplaces and public spaces following vaccinations has prompted them to splurge again on street wear, including jeans and shirts. The start of holiday season has been promising. Customers have come out early to shop and have been responding well to assortments. Retailers have shrugged off holiday inventory concerns, confident they have ample goods despite port congestion and some factory closures. American department store chains delivered strong results for the fiscal third quarter.

American Eagle Outfitters’ inventory at cost at the end of the third quarter increased 32 per cent as it deployed pricier air freight to navigate global supply chain issues. The apparel chain has been beefing up its logistics game. Total net revenue increased 24 per cent from a year earlier. American Eagle revenue jumped 21 per cent while that of the brand Aerie, which sells leggings and bras, rose 28 per cent. Similarly Abercrombie & Fitch’s net sales rose ten per cent. Sales at Macy’s stores rose 35.6 per cent.