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U.S. Official Statistics. Monthly Same-Store Sales of Major U.S. Chains. Historical Clothing Store Sales
U.S. Apparel Retail Sales in October 2011 Monthly Report
16 November 2011
The US apparel market remained relatively healthy in October, although growing at a lower pace than in September. Consumer confidence stayed strong in the past months in the United States, whatever the high level in unemployment. This is sharply contrasting with a looming depression on European clothing market.
US retail sales remained very firm in October, for the second consecutive month, as a clear sign that pessimism is far from depressing demand in the United States.
Overall retail sales were up 0.5% from the previous month, after taking account of seasonal variations.
From a year earlier, retail sales were up no less than 7.2%, not far from the 7.9% jump of October.
Lower Growth at Clothing Stores
Retail sales however decelerated at clothing stores, according to official data, falling 0.7% from previous months, after seasonal adjustment.
From a year earlier, October apparel sales still rose 5.8%, but at lower pace than in September (8.7%).
Apparel chains also reported lower annual progression for same-store sales in October (see our below table).
Retail data are only in value terms and may reflect a lower increase in prices in the past month, from a year earlier.
With Black Friday and holiday sales now in sight, US apparel retailers will have a clearer view of the US consumption level for 2012.
Surprisingly Confident
Consumer confidence remained strong in the last months, surprisingly. Whatever the high level in unemployment and weaker real wages for a lot of US citizens, pessimism is not gaining ground.
This is possibly due to a relatively good result on equity markets.
This is also in sharp contrast with the gloomy picture being offered by the European clothing market, where depression looms.
