ICSC-Goldman's Sales Readings Mixed, Redbook Sales Improve

Sales readings are mixed for ICSC-Goldman whose same-store week-to-week tally surged 3.0 percent in the December 13 week while the year-on-year rate fell sharply to plus 1.1 percent. The report cites promotional activity for the weekly gain and notes that consumers are still considerably behind in their holiday shopping which points to robust sales in the remaining days ahead of Christmas.

...meanwhile...

Sales improved in the December 13 week due in part to last minute shopping for Hanukkah, according to Redbook whose same-store year-on-year sales tally rose 3 tenths to plus 4.2 percent. Redbook notes that popularity in online shopping and gift cards are shifting sales later into the holiday season. Redbook's month-to-month tally so far points to weakness for December, at minus 1.2 percent.