Several retailers with stores in west-central and southwest Ohio reported strong sales gains for February in the latest sign Americans are feeling more confident in the economy . Retailers including Target Corp., Macy’s Inc. and Limited Brands Inc., reported monthly sales figures that exceeded Wall Street estimates.

In addition, Kohl’s Corp. said Thursday that total sales in February increased 1.1 percent over last year. The company added 38 stores in 2011, including a Kohl’s that opened in September 2011 in Miami Twp.

“This was a very strong month. A new life has been breathed into the retailers,” said Ken Perkins, president of the research firm Retail Metrics.

Overall, merchants on Thursday reported a 6.7 percent increase for February 2012 compared with 2011, according to the International Council of Shopping Center’s tally of 20 retailers.

Target’s key sales figure rose 7 percent in February, surpassing analysts’ projections of a 5.2 percent rise. Target operates stores in Trotwood, Beavercreek, Sugarcreek Twp., Miami Twp., Huber Heights, Springfield, Middletown and Fairfield Twp.

Limited Brands, which operates Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works, had an 8 percent increase in revenue at stores opened at least a year. That’s better than the 6.2 percent analysts had expected.

Department-store chain Macy’s reported a 4.6 percent increase, better than the 3.5 percent gain expected by analysts. Macy’s operates department stores in the Dayton Mall, the Mall at Fairfield Commons, the Upper Valley Mall, the Tri-County Mall and Kenwood Towne Center.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.