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 10:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 4.5% in the second
week of September following a 4.9% gain the previous week.
Month-to-date, September was up 4.7% compared to September of last year
(relative to a target of a 4.6% gain). Month-over-month showed a 0.2%
gain 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.
Most retailers reported an excellent Labor Day holiday, with better
than expected sales growth on Sunday and Monday as the season approached
its peak back-to-school selling period. Thereafter, business tailed off
sharply in the middle of the week, only to build-up again into the
weekend. The net result was not quite as strong as the first week of the
month, but was sufficient to leave our model ahead of plan
month-to-date. Most retailers reported positive results in all
categories of back-to-school merchandise including apparel, although
some discount stores indicated that back-to-school hard lines: mainly
school supplies, sporting equipment and electronics were outperforming
soft-lines.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]
