The divergent quarterly results of Lowe’s (LOW) and Target (TGT) on Wednesday confirm a trend in consumer spending: Americans are spending less on apparel while spending lots in home-related categories.

At Target, first quarter comparable store sales grew just 1.2%, shy of analyst estimates. And second quarter comparable store sale growth is expected to be flat to down 2%.

Target CEO Bryan Cornell said that the apparel environment remains a tough one in which to make money today.

“From a promotional standpoint, we would expect to see most of the intensity in the apparel space where we certainly recognize that many of our competitors  are sitting on high levels of inventory,” he said on the company’s earnings call.

He emphasized the company’s need to continue to invest online.

 “The one thing that we continue to see and we’ve embraced as an organization is whether our guest is shopping in-store or online it starts digitally. So we continue to make sure we’re investing in our digital assets,” he said. “The majority of retail business in the United States continues to be done in stores but it starts online.”

But Cornell also placed blame on a macro backdrop, saying, “We have seen the impact of climate and a more cautious consumer.”

That conclusion doesn’t jive with the stellar results out of Lowe’s, where U.S comparable store sales jumped 7.5%, well above market expectations. The second largest home improvement retailer even outpaced best-of-breed Home Depot’s 7.4% U.S. comparable store sales for the first time in six years.

Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock said that the company’s strong results reflects strong consumers spending.

“Our most recent consumer sentiment survey revealed that favorable views around personal finances and home improvement spending are holding steady,” he said. “Rising home prices are motivating homeowners to invest in their homes and many believe this trend will continue as the survey revealed a significant increase in future home value expectations. Likewise, we continue to see home improvement spending outpace overall spending as well as positive home improvement project intentions.”

He added that he expects these trends to continue to accelerate.

“Turning to the economic landscape for the balance of the year, the outlook for the home improvement industry remains positive. Persistent gains in the job market as well as disposable income growth is expected to outpace growth in the economy should contribute to solid growth in consumer spending,” he said.

Even off-price retailer TJX (TJX) confirmed the housing trends.Comparable store sales in the company’s Home Goods segment outperformed the rest of the business, up 9%.

The stocks of traditional and discount retail stores are all down significantly over the last year.  Target (TGT) is down 13%, JC Penney (JCP) down 16%, Kohl’s (KSS) down 46%, Nordstrom (JWN) down 50%, and Macy’s (M) down 56%.

Meanwhile, the home improvement retailers, Home Depot and Lowe’s are up over 15% over the last year on continued strong trends.

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