Check It Out, Retail Sales Looking Good

By George Anderson

The numbers are in and there’s much rejoicing in retailing and analyst circles as sales are growing well above expectations for the industry as a whole.

According to the research firm, ShopperTrak, retail sales jumped 14 percent last week from the previous week.

Wal-Mart was sufficiently encouraged by its performance during the latest reporting period to raise its outlook for the quarter and the year.

USA Today reports retail sales have been boosted, in part, by parents spending child tax credit refunds on back-to-school supplies.

Tad Shepperd, president of ShopperTrak says, “Put a little money in people’s pockets, and we’ll spend. We’re Americans.”

Moderator’s Comment: Do the latest retail numbers mean the economy has turned the corner? What do you see for the rest of the year?

If the numbers were up without the benefit of the child tax credit checks having gone out we’d be more secure in joining the chorus of “Happy Days Are Here
Again.”

 
Retailers see results from child tax credit checks – USA Today