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 August 28:
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 3.0% in the fourth
and final week of August following a 2.6% gain the prior week.
Month-to-date, August was up 2.8% compared to August of last year
(in-line with the target). Month-over-month showed a 1.0% gain compared
to July (also in-line with the target).
Back-to-school sales are not yet over, especially in the apparel
and accessories merchandise classifications as people are positioning
their purchases closer to the time of actual need. Some retailers
believe hot weather may be delaying back-to-school activity. Early sales
figures may not be wholly indicative for the season. Looking forward,
our preliminary target for September is 2.8% year-over-year, or a
month-to-month target of 1.0%. This target will be finalized in next
week’s report. September is a five-week month on the retail calendar
ending on Saturday, October 2nd. Stores will report August sales on
Thursday, September 2nd and we will issue our usual Johnson Redbook
Same-store Sales index that morning.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 **
[TOPICS: M$U$$$,MAUDS$]