Same Store Retail Sales Post Second Strongest Growth Pace In 13 Years

Same store sales were up 7.1 percent year-on-year in the December 15 week, accelerating by 0.5 percentage points from the prior week to post the second strongest growth pace in more than 13 years. Month-to-date sales versus the prior month were down 0.3 percent, while the full month year-on-year gain rose 0.2 percentage points to 6.8 percent, matching the strongest reading of the year. Redbook's same store sales are showing the strongest year-on-year gains in at least 13 years during the key holiday shopping season, pointing to robust strength in ex-auto ex-gas retail sales.