Same-Store Retail Sales Show Little Gain

Same-store sales were up a slow 0.6 percent year-on-year in the June 4 week and down 1.0 percent month-to-date from May, as flooding from Oklahoma to Texas, heavy rain in South Carolina and Georgia, and Tropical Storm Colin in Florida kept shoppers away in these regions toward the end of the week. Redbook noted that weather will continue to play a key role in June, a crucial month for retailers as the peak of seasonal business before July margin-cutting clearance sales.