News

Halloween and Sandy boost retail sales

October 31, 2012

The Johnson Redbook Index, an indicator of performance in U.S. retail sales, released figures yesterday showing that national chain-store sales fell 1.6 percent in the first four weeks of October compared to the same period in September — but recent events sparked some growth. 

According to foxbusiness.com, Redbook said stores were reporting improved sales for the latest week, supported by Halloween shopping and consumer stockpiling ahead of Hurricane Sandy. The storm helped certain retailers as customers made a run on food, water, batteries and other emergency supplies, ramping up business at stores which stock these kinds of staples. Discount stores were the main beneficiaries, and their sales ran mostly ahead of plan over the week.

Read more about consumer behavior.