By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade index rose more than one
point in the Nov. 27 period to 60.3, reflecting on-year strength that
nevertheless points to a month-to-month contraction, according to the
results of Market News International’s weekly survey.
MNI’s index is the sum of each chain’s subjective assessment of
general business conditions which, at this time of year, can be very
promotional.
Sales guidance is less upbeat, at an on-year +4.0% for total sales,
down one tenth in the period, and at +2.4% for same-store sales, also
down one tenth.
When adjusted and including indications on auto and gasoline sales,
the data point to a sweep of -1.0% readings for November sales: total
sales, ex-auto sales, and ex-auto ex-gas sales.
Income is soft at an on-year +5.0%. Sample size in the latest
period is 224 chains representing 159,000 separate retail locations.
News will be extremely heavy this week, including monthly
chain-store sales on Thursday and more than 25 separate quarterly
announcements. The data should give a clear reading on
October-to-November change and the outlook for November-to-December
change.
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$]
