NEW YORK -- Macy's raised its expectations for the year and reported the first increase in same-store sales since 2022 after the department store chain intensified its focus on modernizing stores and improving the customer experience.

Comparable-store sales are considered a good barometer of a retailer's health and for the last three years they had been a reminder that the storied department store chain had a long way to go.

Macy's reported a 0.8% increase in comparable sales. Industry analysts, who had expected a 0.5% decrease, were caught off guard by the swing and the company's shares rocketed 20.7% higher Wednesday. They remain negative for the year, however.

The reversal in comparable-store sales underscored how Macy's campaign to improve customer experience and the merchandise on

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