By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade indicator slipped six-tenths in
the Dec. 1 period to a 60.6 level that is still well enough above breakeven 50
to indicate strong growth in year-on-year business activity, according to MNI’s
weekly survey released Monday.
Sales readings slowed slightly, to +4.5% for total year-on-year sales and
to +2.0% for same-store sales. Both of these readings are several tenths lower
than the prior reading.
But income improved slightly, up one-tenth to a very solid +9%.
Monthly sales indications for November are mostly negative, at -0.3% for
total retail sales and at -0.4% ex-auto. But ex-auto ex-gas looks positive,
though just barely at +0.1%.
Hurricane Sandy, which closed stores in the Northeast, had a major impact
on the sample’s sales during the first half of November.
Some of the lost sales were made up in the second half of the month but not
all, a factor that some in the sample are pointing to as a plus for December.
November indications on gasoline and apparel are negative. Electronics &
appliances are showing strength as is general merchandise.
Sample size in the period is 205 chains representing 205,500 separate
retail locations.
Editor’s Note: MNI compiles its retail trade indicator based on a weekly
sample of company news and data.
–MNI New York Bureau; tel: +1 212-669-6400; email: mpender@mni-news.com
[TOPICS: MAUDS$,MDURE$,M$U$$$,MT$$$$]
