By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade indicator accelerated by
2.3 points in the Sept. 15 period to 64.2, far over breakeven 50 to
indicate strong growth in year-on-year business activity, according to
the results of MNI’s weekly survey released Monday.
Total year-on-year sales growth is up 5.0% for the highest rate in
three months. Same-store sales, which gained 3.0%, are also at a
three-month high.
When adjusted for a monthly comparison, MNI’s data are signaling a
very sharp 0.8 percent headline growth for total September retail sales
with ex-auto indicated up 1.0 percent. These would be the third straight
sharp monthly gains for both readings.
In what would be a sharp pick up, ex-auto ex-gas is indicated at
+0.9 percent which would compare with August’s disappointing +0.1
percent.
The sample’s building materials and general merchandise components
are showing special strength. Restaurants are showing the least monthly
strength.
The sample’s income growth, which has been very solid, is up one
percentage point to 8%.
Sample size in the period is 197 chains representing 208,200
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: 212-669-6430 **
[TOPICS: MDURE$,MT$$$$,M$U$$$,M$UEQ$,MAUDS$]
