US DATA: Redbook sales for Dec 3 wk: “Retailers described the week
as a lull that began the weekend after a hectic (for some)
post-Thanksgiving surge. Retailers noticed, however, that the pause was
typical of the first week of December and would likely be followed by an
equally predicable steady build-up as we get closer to the Christmas
holiday. This shopping pattern has intensified as customers have learned
to shop at the last minute to exploit merchant markdowns. Meanwhile,
winter seasonal business continues to be primarily weather driven, and
therefore is somewhat unpredictable. December contains one additional
pre-Christmas shopping day compared to last December while Hanukkah
falls later this year than last year. Both are expected to have an
appreciably positive impact for the month.”
–
Year-over-year: Week (w/e 12/03/11 vs year-ago) 3.2%
Year-over-year: Month (December 2011 vs December 2010) 3.2%
Month-over-month: (December 2011 vs November 2011) -2.6%