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 October 8:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 4.8% in the first
week of October. Month-to-date, September was up 4.8% compared to
October of last year (relative to a revised target of a 4.6% gain).
Month-over-month showed a 0.6% drop compared to September (relative to a
target of a 0.7% drop). October is a four-week month on the retail
calendar ending October 29th.
The week started slowly but improved toward the Columbus Day long
weekend as shoppers took advantage of holiday promotions. October is the
final month of the third quarter for most retailers and is an important
period for retailers to meet quarterly sales and earnings targets. The
main merchandise themes in October include mid-fall seasonal apparel,
Halloween, winter sports and early holiday. The month includes the
buildup to Halloween, which falls one day later this year than last
year. Merchants said sales in these areas are starting to build. Apparel
sales may also have been stimulated by more promotional pricing as
stores sought to shift goods ahead of the holiday season.
** Market News International Washington Bureau (202) 371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]
