U.S. retailers, helped by a later school-year start, a Labor Day calendar shift and some signs of economic improvement, delivered better-than-expected September sales, sparking hope that business may be gradually picking up heading into the industry’s crucial holiday selling period, MarketWatch reported.

Specialty retailers Limited Brands Inc. and Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. both reported unexpected gains in their September results. Costco Wholesale Corp. also saw a surprise increase. Costco said its store traffic improved and its non-consumable categories, such as small appliances and apparel, also posted their first positive same-store sales results in more than a year.

Other retailers had smaller-than-expected sales declines. The improvement was also seen in drugstore chains, with Walgreen Co. last week reporting a better-than-expected increase.

The improved results could help bolster sentiment and bode well for improvement during the holiday season, typically a make-or-break time for many retailers such as jewelry shops, MarketWatch said.

There are also continued signs that consumers are shopping only when they are driven by discounts and promotions, analysts said.

Consumers also continued to save more and rein in their credit-card use amid a record-high unemployment rate.

Among 11 retailers that have reported their numbers, 80 percent have exceeded Wall Street expectations, according to Thomson Reuters. Still, retailers, on average, are expected to post a 1.1 percent sales decline.