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 May 15:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 2.9% in the second
week of May following a 3.3% gain the prior week. Month-to-date, May was
up 3.1% compared to May of last year (relative to a target of a 3.0%
gain). Month-over-month showed a 0.7% gain compared to April (relative
to a targeted 0.6% gain). May is a four-week month on the retail
calendar ending on May 29th.
At mid-month, sales were slightly above their May targets. The
week’s results were also helped by a poor department store performance
in the year ago period, which boosted percentage gains. Warm weather
categories such as summer apparel, lawn and garden as well as outdoor
equipment were the focus of the week. Some retailers also noticed sales
of home appliance items, such as refrigerators, washing machines and
furnaces, pick up as shoppers take advantage of the government rebate
for energy-efficient appliances to replace old ones. Discounters
continue to do best in food and household goods. Retailers are hopeful
that sales will strengthen over the Memorial Day weekend, which falls on
the first week of retail calendar June, one week later than last year.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]
