By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade indicator rose four tenths
in the March 31 period to 67.4, far over breakeven 50 to indicate strong
growth in year-on-year business activity, according to the results of
Market News International’s weekly survey released Monday.
Total year-on-year sales growth slowed by two tenths in the period
to a still strong +5.3%. Same-store sales growth is also strong,
unchanged for the third week at +4.0%.
Despite the strength in year-on-year readings, the month-to-month
comparison is being held back by February’s enormous strength.
When adjusted, MNI’s data point to no change for the March retail
sales headline when the government releases its data.
Income growth for MNI’s sample slipped three percentage points to
+3.0% year-on-year. This is the lowest reading in four months and points
to price discounting.
Sample size in the period is 141 chains for a total of 123,600
separate retail locations.
Editor’s Note: MNI compiles its retail trade index based on a
weekly sample of company news and data.
** MNI New York Newsroom: 212-669-6430 **
[TOPICS: MDURE$,MT$$$$,M$U$$$,M$UEQ$,MAUDS$]
