By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade index jumped more than
five points in the June 12 period to 61.6 indicating expansion slightly
beyond May’s pace, according to Market News International’s weekly
survey released Monday.
Total sales rose one full point to a year-on-year +5.0% with
same-store sales up four-tenths to +3.0%. Income is at a year-on-year
+29%. Sample size is 176 chains for 149,000 retail locations.
When adjusted, the data so far this month point to a 0.5% gain for
total June sales.
Guidance and comments turned upbeat in the week, ending two weeks
of pessimism and offering hope that May’s retail sales drop will not be
repeated.
Still, four-week averages continue to lag those for April in a
reminder that even a 0.5% gain in June to $364.2 billion would not be
enough to reach April’s level.
At $366.9 billion, April may prove a tough top to match for a
sector that looks to be gearing up for summertime markdowns.
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 **
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