Apparel retailers see gains during a warm February

NEW YORK — Most apparel retailers topped Wall Street estimates in February, as rising temperatures boosted sales, while increased consumer confidence and Valentine’s Day also helped boost spending, according to the Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Index. The Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Index, which tracks 21 companies reporting Wednesday and Thursday, is expected to rise 4.8%, beating last year’s 4% advance. Big winners in February included Limited Brands, as the operator of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works reported a same-store sales rise of 8%, beating Wall Street’s expected 6.2% gain. Gap Inc. surprised on Thursday, reported