Redbook: Comps up again in July's 2nd week

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/17/2012 12:58:46 PM

New York - The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index was up 1.7% in the second week of July following a 2.2% gain the prior week.

Month-to-date, July comps rose up 2.0% compared to July of last year, relative to a target of a 1.8% gain. Month-over-month showed a 1.1% drop, relative to a target of a 1.2% drop.

Redbook analyst Catlin Levis said retailers experienced "a lull in activity as a weather-driven surge in seasonal sales wound down prior to the back-to-school shopping taking over. Discounters did their best business in consumer staples such as food and household supplies."

Some retailers noticed moderate interest in children's apparel, she continued, with evidence of early back-to-school buying.

Heat waves across the country also drove demand for remaining stocks of hot weather items, such as fans, air conditioners and summer related sports apparel.