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 July 31:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 3.0% in the fourth
and final week of July following a 2.7% gain the prior week.
Month-to-date, July was up 2.9% compared to July of last year (in-line
with the target). Month-over-month showed a 0.6% drop compared to June
(also in-line with the target).
Closing out the second quarter, the final week finished out the
small, transitional month of July on plan. With easy year-over-year
comparisons, retailers in general had modest expectations for July and
they achieved them. Retailers continue to offer a variety of promotions
to lure shoppers through online and on facebook. Sales of electronic
goods, such as laptops, cell phones, iPads and flash drives are expected
to grow in the next few weeks. Merchants in Mississippi reported the
tax-free holidays on July 30th and 31st drew more store traffic than on
normal weekends. Looking forward, our preliminary target for August is
for 3.3% same-store growth, leaving the month about 1.5% ahead of July.
The target will be finalized in next week’s report. Stores report July
sales on Thursday, August 5th and Redbook will issue our usual Johnson
Redbook Same-store Sales Index that morning.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]
