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 28:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 3.6% in the fourth
and final week of May, following a 3.4% gain the prior week.
Month-to-date, May was up 3.9% compared to May of last year (in-line
with the target). Month-over-month showed a 2.7% drop compared to April
(relative to a targeted drop of 2.8%).
The week was supported by the Memorial Day holiday, which left its
imprint in strong sales of food and beverages ahead of the long holiday
weekend. The grocery division led business at most discount stores.
Department stores reported strength in merchandise related to school
graduation such as women’s wear, men’s wear, footwear and women’s
accessories. Our preliminary target for June is for year-over-year
growth of 3.3%, leading to a month-to-month change against May of a 0.2%
gain. This target will be finalized in next week’s report. Retail June
is a five-week month ending on July 2nd. Retailers officially report May
sales on Thursday and we plan as usual to release our Johnson Redbook
Same-store Sales Index that morning.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]
