WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is the text of the weekly retail
sales report released by Johnson Redbook Tuesday, for the month-to-date
through the week-ended July 14:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 1.7% in the second
week of July following a 2.2% gain the prior week. Month-to-date, July
was up 2.0% compared to July of last year (relative to a target of a
1.8% gain). Month-over-month showed a 1.1% drop (relative to a target of
a 1.2% drop). July is a four-week month on the retail calendar, ending
July 28th.
Retailers experienced a lull in activity as a weather driven surge
in seasonal sales wound down prior to the back-to-school shopping taking
over. Discounters did their best business in consumer staples such as
food and household supplies. Some retailers noticed moderate interest in
children’s apparel with evidence of early back-to-school buying. Heat
waves across the country also drove demand for remaining stocks of hot
weather items, such as fans, air conditioners and summer related sports
apparel.
** MNI Washington Bureau (202) 371-2121 **
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