Here's the link to the report (PDF)
Specialty and Apparel Store Sales Increased 3.4%.
General Merchandise increased 2.4%
Home Supply Decreased (this does not include Home Depot or Lowe's) -15.5%
Drug Store Sales Increased 4.8%.
The annual total for 2007 so far is 2.8%. This is the lowest total since 2001. However, we still have 7 months to go until the end of the year.
Wal-Mart was up 1.3%. Because Wal-Mart is by far the largest retailer in the US, their sales figures are closely watched.
Target was up 5.8%.
Overall, this report is fairly solid. While the low annual rate should raise a yellow flag, the strength of this number should console the bulls.
