US DATA: wk 07-Apr Redbook: “As retailers enter the final month of
the first quarter, results of the first week were running better than
expected. Last minute Easter related purchases drove demand for candies,
toys and boys and girls apparel. Retailers benefited from year-over-year
comparisons as an earlier Easter created more sales volume in the week.
Warm weather helped full priced seasonal apparel business, especially
women’s apparel and footwear. Basic food and consumables as well as
garden supplies also did well.”
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Year-over-year: Week (w/e 04/07/12 vs year-ago) 4.1%
Year-over-year: Month (April 2012 vs April 2011) 4.1%
Month-over-month: (April 2012 vs March 2012) 0.8%