Consumers encouraged by an improving economy extended their shopping spree into February, giving retailers better-than-expected sales for the month.

As merchants reported their results Thursday, many companies beat Wall Street sales forecasts, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp., J.C. Penney Co. Inc., Nordstrom Inc., Talbots Inc. and teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Inc.

Among the few disappointments were Limited Brands Inc. and May Department Stores Co., which announced Monday that it was being acquired by Federated Department Stores Inc.

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