Comps Soften Slightly During January's Second week

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/23/2012 2:00:00 AM

NEW YORK - Same-store sales rose 2.8% in the second week of January following a 3.3% gain in the previous week, according to the Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index.
     The discount channel posted a year-over-year increase of 3.2% while the department store sector experienced a 2.1% gain.
     "Sales cooled off in the second week as consumer appetite for clearance bargains became partially satiated and year-end clearance dominated sales activity," noted Catlin Levis, Redbook analyst.
     "Sales leader lists varied widely from store to store, fairly typical of a transitional, trend-less month," she added.
     Colder temperatures in some parts of the country boosted sales of cold weather apparel, said Levis. "At the same time, retailers don't read too much into the month, since January is considered a transitional month with low volume business driven by price markdowns and focusing on shifting goods to make room for Valentine's Day and spring lines.".