By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade index rose nearly 1/2
point in the March 26 period to 64.0, above 50 to indicate year-on-year
growth and at the high end of trend to indicate accelerating growth,
according to the results of Market News International’s weekly survey
released Monday.
This year’s Easter calendar shift to late April from early April
has yet to hurt March sales, early indications on which are strong.
Total sales for the sample edged down one tenth to a year-on-year
+4.3% while same-store sales rose one tenth to +3.1%.
But end-of-March sales are certain to show an Easter effect making
month-to-month change for the March retail sales report too early to
call.
Breakeven levels in this sample that would indicate no adjusted
change for the government’s ex-auto ex-gas category are +3.5% for total
sales and +1.5% for same-store sales.
Chains issuing guidance for their April quarter are increasingly
less guarded, which is a hint that March sales are going better than
expected.
Income for the sample is soft at a year-on-year +5%. Sample size in
the period is 186 chains making up 171,500 separate retail locations.
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$]
