WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is the text of the weekly retail
sales report released by Johnson Redbook Wednesday, for the
month-to-date through the week-ended July 2:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up5.2% in the fifth and
final week of June following a 2.5% gain the prior week. Month-to-date,
June was up 3.8% compared to June of last year (in-line with the
target). Month-over-month showed a 0.9% gain compared to May (also
in-line with the target).
June ended on a positive note. Retailers said business improved in
the final week of June, starting soft but picking up briskly leading up
to and beginning the long independence day holiday weekend. Hot weather
and sales promotions spurred demand for summer merchandise and also
drove consumers into air-conditioned malls and outlets to escape the
heat. For July, our preliminary target is for year-over-year same-store
sales growth of 3.7% which if met would generate a 1.1% drop against
June. The July plan will be finalized in our report next week. Stores
report June sales tomorrow, Thursday, July 7th and Redbook will issue
our Johnson Redbook Same-sore Sales Index that morning.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]
