(CHARLOTTE) -- The Cato Corp. reported May sales of $84.3 million. This represents a 4 percent increase over sales of $80.7 million in May of 2011.  Same-store sales for the month increased 3 percent.

"May same-store sales were good for much of the month and benefited from an easier comparison to the prior year," said John Cato, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer for the Charlotte-based discount women's apparel retailer.

Cato operates 1,294 stores in 31 states. In May, the company opened a new location in Plano, TX.