Same Store Retail Sales Improve

Store sales in Redbook's sample improved in the November 21 week, to a same-store year-on-year plus 1.5 percent vs 1.2 percent in the prior week. The report cites more seasonal weather in the week that boosted demand for cold-weather goods. Still, the rate of growth in this report remains soft and under what have been more respectable rates of growth in the government's core reading for retail sales. This report next week will offer a look at Black Friday and the kickoff for the holiday season.