By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade indicator slowed 4.9
points in the May 5 period to a 59.4 level that is still well over 50
and to indicate significant growth in year-on-year business activity,
according to the results of MNI’s weekly survey released Monday.
Total sales are a year-on-year +4.1% with same-store sales, after
trending very high relative to total sales, falling back to +2.5% vs. a
two-month trend near +4.0%.
When adjusted at the current sales rates, MNI’s sample points to a
+0.4% headline for the government’s April retail sales report.
Ex-auto, the sample also points to +0.4% with the ex-auto ex-gas
reading showing the most strength at +0.7%.
The sample in April shows special strength at electronics &
appliance stores and at general merchandise stores. Weakness is
appearing at building materials stores and at restaurants.
Income growth for MNI’s sample is a moderate +5.0% year-on-year.
Sample size in the period is 192 chains for a total of 208,700
separate retail locations.
Editor’s Note: MNI compiles its retail trade index based on a
weekly sample of company news and data.
** MNI New York Bureau: 212-669-6430 **
[TOPICS: MDURE$,MT$$$$,M$U$$$,M$UEQ$,MAUDS$]
