US DATA: Redbook sales for Sept 18 wk: “Sales slipped during the
week as back-to-school merges into transitional fall business. At this
point in the month there is increasing evidence that back-to-school
buying was very promotional this year. Retailers saw back-to-school
sales wind down and fresh fall apparel begin to sell in places where
cool weather moves in. During the week, discounters were sustained
largely by food and household supplies.”

Year-over-year: Week (w/e 09/18/10 vs year-ago) 2.2%
Year-over-year: Month (September 2010 vs September 2009) 2.7%
Month-over-month: (September 2010 vs August 2010) -0.4%