Same Store Retail Sales Widens Gain

Same store sales were up a strong 5.8 percent year-on-year in the September 22 week, widening the gain by 0.4 percent from the prior week but still short of the 13-year high set at the start of the month. Month-to-date sales versus the prior month were up 0.3 percent, while the full month year-on-year gain marginally decreased to 5.8 percent. Redbook's robust year-on-year sales growth shows consumers buying at a pace not seen in over decade, and continues to point to similar strength in ex-auto ex-gas retail sales.