Sector Preview: April same-store sales seen rising

"While April (same-store sales) are likely to be positive, given the easy comparisons following the shift of Easter into March from April last year, we believe the environment remains challenging and we remain cautious around consumer spending in the upcoming months," Drbul wrote on a note on Monday.

Same-store sales are a key gauge of a retailer's performance because they measure sales at existing stores rather than newly opened ones

In the specialty sector, Oppenheimer & Co. analyst Roxanne Meyer advised sticking with retailers with "strong product execution and internal catalysts," she wrote in a note on Monday.

That includes J.C. Group Inc., Urban Outfitters Inc. and Aeropostale Inc., Oppenheimer said.

Buckingham Research Group analyst David J. Glick said in a note to investors on Friday that expectations are "relatively high" for April, given an increase in mall traffic during the first three weeks of the month, an extra calendar day due the shift in Easter to March from April and better weather.

"However, we believe that cooler weather and tougher comparisons of week four in April slowed the sales momentum into the end of the month, he said.

Like Grom, Glick said the combined March and April period will likely be negative for most retailers.

"We caution investors not to get carried away by improved April (same-store sales)," he said.