Retail News

November and December sales accounted for about 20 percent of what merchants take in for the year according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

Excluding auto dealers, retail sales fell 0.3 percent in November, the largest decrease since April 2004, today's Commerce Department report (source Bloomberg Dec 13,2005)

Retail sales data for Thanksgiving weekend shopping:

BIGresearch, polls consumers, predicted Thanksgiving-weekend shopping would increase 21.9 percent increase over last year.
Chicago-based consultant ShopperTrak RCT, reported that receipts for the weekend would increase 0.4 percent over the same period in 2004. ShopperTrak uses government figures, as well as its own "proprietary industry intelligence on shopper movement and sales statistics.
Visa USA, the company controls a little over half of all electronic transactions in the United States,report said that Thanksgiving-weekend sales were up 16 percent over last year according to its tally of purchases made on its branded charge and debit cards, excludes the 85 percent of purchases made with cash, check or other bank and credit cards.

International Council of Shopping Centers. The New York-based trade organization tracks 75 retail chains, but limits its weekly report to stores open at least one year, known as same-store sales, said the average shopper spent $302.81 this weekend, bumping total weekend spending to $27.8 billion -- a dramatic 22 percent increase over last year's $22.8 billion (Yahoo News Nov 27, 2005).
November sales tally of 65 retailers rose 3.5 percent in November (Yahoo News Dec 1, 2005)
(Source Scripps Howard News Dec 12, 2005)

Retailers expected to do worse in 2005 (Daily Items January 6,2005)