Retail Sales Show Strongest Gain Since Before The Recession

[Purveyor]

Source: LA TIMES

March 4, 2010 | 8:38 a.m.

The retail industry's slow but steady recovery picked up the pace in February, with the nation's merchants posting the best sales results in more than two years.

Despite severe weather in some parts of the country, shoppers still turned out at the nation's malls to buy spring merchandise and other goods, helping retailers report a 4% year-over-year sales increase last month, according to Thomson Reuters' tally of 28 major chains. It was the strongest gain since November 2007, a month before the recession began.

With the exception of drugstores, every sector -- including discounters, department stores and apparel sellers -- did better than expected, Thomson Reuters said. Of individual retailers, more than three-fourths outperformed expectations.

"These results are very encouraging as we head into March," said Ken Perkins, president of research company Retail Metrics Inc. "Consumers seem to be coming out of hibernation."

The month's best performers included off-price seller Ross Stores Inc. which posted an 11% sales increase and upscale department store chain Nordstrom Inc., with a 10.3% rise. TJX Cos., which operates off-price chains T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, and apparel chain Limited posted 10% gains.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-retail-sales5-2010mar05,0,1547631.story

[asdjrocky]

1. The last gasp before the crash.

Party on Muddled Class shoppers.

[KingFlorez]

2. This is what we need to see

If retail is gaining, then things are getting much better.

[Rapier09]

3. Without job creation

This isn't going to last.

This party is about to come to an end.

[Mudoria]

4. Until people buy things and create demand there is no reason for businessees to hire...

[Jane Austin]

5. Our orders are up about 45% year-over-year

for the past few weeks.

Last year was down from the year before, of course, but we're back up slightly above two years ago.

I've been reordering from our vendors, so I hope it holds.

[AllentownJake]

6. I wonder if there is an increase in sales tax reciepts

I'll wait for the sales tax reciepts to determine if this report is accurate or concocted bullshit.

[NJmaverick]

9. That way you can discount online sales and continue to sell gloom and doom

[Feron]

10. Not gloom and doom--just realistic.

I'd love for a real recovery to happen, but I'm also not naive enough to believe every statistic.

[NJmaverick]

11. Only if by realistic you mean slanted in a negative manner to serve an agenda

Amazing how many people ignore or deliberately forget the horrible situation that was facing our nation just last year when President Obama took office.

[AllentownJake]

12. What does ignored have to say other than

nonsense.

Increased sales = increased sales tax reciepts. There is no way the two data points should diverge unless people are hoarding non-taxable items.

[NJmaverick]

13. Why don't you call ignored by its real name- "THE FACTS"

FACT- Internet sales tax revenue is significantly lower than brick and mortar stores. So the report you are waiting for is grossly inaccurate.

[girl gone mad]

7. I guess when you stop paying the mortgage...

you have a little extra change in your pocket.

[NJmaverick]

8. K and R for good news

[Glenda]

14. K&R for someone acknowledging good news

:kick:

[the other one]

15. This is a joke, right?

Last February retail was DEAD!

4% more than dead is still nothing.

[Fool Count]

16. All that stimulus money had to be spent by some one at some point.

The question is - now what? US can't keep printing a trillion dollars a year to cover it deficit, can it?
I don't think so, not without starting an inflationary spiral. Besides, there is no appetite in Congress
for another stimulus, it's in full deficit cutting mode now.