US DATA: Redbook sales for Aug 6 wk: “Sales were boosted by eleven
states sales tax holidays and mid-summer weather conditions over most of
the country. Seasonal goods also moved well as stores stepped up
clearance-oriented promotions. Back-to-school business has been showing
up in general merchandise shopping patterns since early July, albeit on
a modest scale. Last week was no exception, as children’s and teenage
apparel mingled with more clearance-oriented classifications at some
companies led the week’s business. August is typically a somewhat
transitional month, characterized by final summer clearances and the
shift in inventory to back-to-school merchandise and fall apparel.
Back-to-school is not expected to peak until September.”
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Year-over-year: Week (w/e 08/06/11 vs year-ago) 4.8%
Year-over-year: Month (August 2011 vs August 2010) 4.8%
Month-over-month: (August 2011 vs July 2011) 0.7%