Same Store Retail Sales Accelerate

Same store sales were up 4.3 percent year-on-year in the June 9 week, accelerating by 0.3 percentage points from the prior week to match the third strongest growth pace of the year. Month-to-date sales versus the prior month were down 0.2 percent, however, the first negative weekly reading for this comparison since March 17. The full month year-on-year gain rose to 4.3 percent, up 0.2 percentage points from the prior week and the second highest level of the year. Three consecutive weeks of 4 percent plus year-on-year sales gains reported by Redbook's same store sample point to strong ex-auto ex-gas retail sales.