October finishes out with decent comp gains

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 11/2/2010 9:57:17 AM

New York - Same-store sales during the final week of October mostly hit their mark, according to the Johnson Redbook.

The Johnson Redbook Index for the week ended Oct. 30 was up 2.5%, with discounter comps rising 2.8% and department store comps up 1.7%.

Comps for the month of October were up 2.6% year-over-year and up 0.2% over September.
"Halloween business was on target according to most retailers, boosting volume at those stores which cater to it but also keeping shoppers away from stores which don't," said Catlin Levis, Redbook analyst.
Since Halloween fell one day later this year and on a Sunday - Redbook's weekly calendar ends on Saturdays - some related sales will be shifted to this week, she noted.
"Meanwhile, holiday merchandise is beginning to be displayed in stores as retailers are promoting earlier than usual," said Levis.
Redbook's preliminary target for November is for 2.8% year-over-year same-store growth, generating a month-to-month gain of 0.2% versus October.