Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Retail Numbers Strong.... That is if You Ignore the Massive YoY Drop

Marketwatch details:

Sales were stronger than the 2.3% expected by economists surveyed by MarketWatch, largely because of widespread sales gains outside of the gas stations and the auto lots.

Sales are down 5.3% compared with a year earlier. The figures are adjusted for seasonal differences, but not for price changes.


Stronger than expected? Yes. Strong. No.

Source: Census

5 comments:

  1. Gas station sales down 25%, eh?

    I was wondering why that large station on a busy local corner was gone when I drove by yesterday morning.

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  2. "figures are adjusted for seasonal differences, but not for price changes".

    thus, sales aren't down 25% in units, just in revenues. still a likely explanation as to why the station is closed.

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  3. Perhaps retail sales are up because so many are no longer paying their mortgages.

    Just a thought.

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  4. July sales are not only down YoY on 2008, they are below July sales in 2006. With any adjustment for inflation, they would be below July 2005.

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