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 September 24:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 4.2% in the fourth
week of September following a 4.1% gain the previous week.
Month-to-date, September was up 4.4% compared to September of last year
(relative to a target of a 4.6% gain). Month-over-month showed a 0.1%
drop compared to August (relative to a target of a 0.1% gain). September
is a five-week month on the retail calendar, ending on October 1st.
Retailers reported another week of mixed results. Business
continued to lack strong themes with pockets of relative strength
combining with weakness. Discount stores as a group managed to hold
steady on the week, supported by basics such as household supplies and
food, due in part to anticipation for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New
Year. Department stores, however, continued their falling trend. Some
retailers are starting to display Christmas and Halloween merchandise
side by side as well as re-launching layaway programs, allowing shoppers
to reserve an item in order to get a head start to the holiday shopping
season.
** Market News International Washington Bureau (202) 371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]
