US DATA: Redbook sales for Sep 24 wk: “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.”

Year-over-year: Week (w/e 09/24/11 vs year-ago) 4.2%
Year-over-year: Month (September 2011 vs September 2010) 4.4%
Month-over-month: (September 2011 vs August 2011) -0.1%