By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade index rose more than 3-1/2
points to 58.5 in the July 3 period, reflecting a run of optimistic
guidance that contrasts with soft trends, according to the results of
Market News International’s weekly survey.
Total sales held unchanged at a year-on-year +2.7% which is well
below this sample’s +4.0% result for May. But same-store sales did rise,
up 5 tenths to +2.4% vs. May’s +2.6%.
Income is steady at +20%. Sample size in the period is 51 chains
representing 61,800 retail locations.
Unit vehicle sales reported last week show a 4.7% month-to-month
adjusted decline, which if extended to the motor vehicle component would
strip $2.9 billion, or 0.8%, from total sales.
Gasoline stations probably aren’t going to be an offset. Demand did
rise in June but prices fell back in what looks to be a wash.
This sample is pointing to a -0.5% decline for the remaning
components in what would be a second straight monthly decline for the
ex-auto ex-gas category. Such a result would deepen questions over the
consumer’s participation in the recovery.
Editor’s Note: MNI compiles its retail trade index based on a
weekly sample of company news and data.
** Market News International New York Newsroom: 212-669-6430 **
[TOPICS: MDURE$,MT$$$$,M$U$$$,M$UEQ$,MAUDS$]
