citi trends inc said its fiscal 2023 is off to a slow start as financial challenges weigh on its customers but a recovery is forecast for later in the year the savannah gabased apparel retailer which primarily serves africanamerican and multicultural families expects sales growth for the year that started jan 29 between a negative low singledigit percentage and a positive low singledigit percentage analysts surveyed by factset expect sales of 8293 million in 2023 for the first quarter citi trends expects sales to fall by a low doubledigit percentage to a midteen percentage chief executive david makuen said the lowincome families that make up the bulk of citi trends customers would likely remain under financial pressure this year amid persistent inflation lower tax refunds and a reduction in benefits tied to the supplemental nutrition assistance program as a result our first quarter is off to a slow start however we remain cautiously optimistic that our customers will experience relief from economic pressures over the course of the year mr makuen said write to will feuer at willfeuerwsjcom