With the cost of living rising and home values falling, analysts expected a depressing May for retailers. Instead, many beat expectations as consumers received their tax rebate checks and flocked to discount or lower-priced stores, the Associated Press reported.

According to a preliminary report from Thomson Financial, of the 27 retailers reporting same-store sales (sales in stores open at least a year), 13 beat expectations, three met expectations and seven fell short of them.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, had a 3.9 percent jump in same-store sales, with the biggest increases in the food and health categories, followed by entertainment items. Analysts had expected a 1.6 percent rise.

Costco Wholesale Corp. reported a 9 percent jump in sales, above analysts’ prediction for a 6.9 percent increase, helped by strong sales of food and gasoline. TJX Cos., which runs discount apparel and home furnishing stores including T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, reported a 2 percent rise in same-store sales.

Meanwhile, Limited Brands Inc. said same-store sales fell 6 percent, missing analysts’ predictions that sales would drop 5.5 percent. Target Corp.’s same-store sales fell 0.7 percent, worse than analysts’ forecast for a 0.2 percent drop.