US DATA: Redbook sales for Oct 29 wk: “sample ended slightly ahead
of plan in October, the final month of the retail quarter. Stores
reported improved sales for the week supported by cooler weather and
Halloween shopping. With Halloween being one day later this year versus
last year, a portion of Halloween sales will be shifted into the
November retail month. Sales of women’s wear, children’s wear and
bedding improved over the prior three weeks. This up-trend helped to
build momentum going into November. Meanwhile, the northeast snowstorm
on Saturday caused widespread damage and power failure, forcing many
stores to close and leaving many residents without power.”

Year-over-year: Week (w/e 10/29/11 vs year-ago) 5.2%
Year-over-year: Month (October 2011 vs October 2010) 4.7%
Month-over-month: (October 2011 vs September 2011) -0.6%