ICSC-Goldman Store Sales Soft, Redbook Sales Flat To Small Gain

Store sales were soft in the October 18 week for ICSC-Goldman's sample, down 0.3 percent from the prior week for a year-on-year rate of plus 2.1 which is the lowest rate since May. Yet the text of the report is upbeat, citing strength in electronic and apparel stores and offering, based on low gasoline prices, a positive outlook for holiday spending

Meanwhile...

Cool weather helped give a boost to apparel sales in the October 18 week, lifting Redbook's same-store sales to a year-on-year plus 4.1 percent vs 3.8 percent in the prior week. The report notes that Halloween this year falls on a Friday which should give a boost to last minute holiday shopping. Yet so far, this month is tracking flat to September at only a plus 0.1 percent month-to-month gain.