Neiman Marcus and Saks both cited jewelry as among their strongest sellers in their latest financial results.

Saks Inc. said sales totaled $200.7 million in July, a 5.1 percent increase over the year before. Comparable store sales increased 3.5 percent for the month. The retailer singled out fine jewelry as one of its strongest categories.

Neiman Marcus said that comp revenues in its specialty stores segment increased 5.3 percent for the fourth quarter, with jewelry among the strongest categories, along with women’s shoes and beauty. Revenue grew most strongly in the company’s stores in Texas and the Southeast. 

Overall, retail sales were stronger in July than most analysts expected.

Nordstrom reported a 0.9 percent increase in same-store sales for July, but said sales had been impacted by a shift in timing for its Anniversary Sale event, traditionally its largest sale of the year.

Macy’s reported total sales of $1.693 billion for July, a 5.1 percent increase over the year before. Same store sales were up 4.1 percent.

And Kohl’s Corp. reported that July sales increased 3.4 percent, with comp store sales up 1.7 percent.

JCK