By Mark Pender
NEW YORK (MNI) – MNI’s U.S. retail trade indicator edged two tenths
higher in the Oct. 6 period to 60.5, holding well above breakeven 50 to
indicate strong growth in year-on-year business activity, according to
the results of MNI’s weekly survey released Tuesday.
Total sales are steady at a year-on-year +4.9% with same-store
sales at a year-on-year +2.5%. Both readings are steady and trending
slightly higher than a month ago.
For the monthly September-to-August comparison, MNI’s data are
pointing to a solid +0.7% for the government’s retail sales headline.
Ex-auto sales is also indicated at +0.7% with ex-auto ex-gas,
enjoying an easy comparison with August’s incremental gain, indicated at
+0.8%.
Building materials and general merchandise are leading the sample,
which in general is upbeat and holding to guidance for monthly growth
along a steadily rising slope.
Year-on-year income growth is steady at a solid +8%.
Sample size in the period is 157 chains representing 180,500
separate retail locations.
Editor’s Note: MNI compiles its retail trade indicator based on a
weekly sample of company news and data.
** MNI New York Bureau: 212-669-6430 **
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