WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is the text of the weekly retail
sales report released by Johnson Redbook Tuesday, for the month-to-date
through the week-ended December 31:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 4.9% in the fifth and
final week of December following a 4.3% gain the prior week.
Month-to-date, December was up 3.7% compared to December of last year
(relative to a target of a 3.6% gain). Month-over-month showed a 2.1%
drop compared to November (relative to a target of a 2.3% drop).
Retailers reported relatively strong sales in the final week. Sales
on the days immediately following Christmas were well above
expectations, with customers taking advantage of deeper markdowns as
well as exchanging and returning gifts and redeeming gift cards. There
were reports of significant upside performance surprises at some
department stores, which tend to be more promotional than the discount
stores this time of year. Looking forward, January, which is a four-week
month on the retail calendar, closes the fiscal year for most retailers.
Our preliminary target for the Redbook Index in January is for a 2.9%
year-over-year gain, which would result in month-over-month performance
against December of -1.6%. This target may be revised in next week’s
report. Stores report December sales tomorrow, Thursday, January 5th and
Redbook will plan as usual to release our Johnson Redbook Same-store
Flash Report that morning.
** Market News International Washington Bureau (202) 371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]
