RetailNext: Retail performance improves in 2014

San Jose, Calif. – Retail performance has continued to improve throughout 2014. According to the RetailNext Composite Index analyzing more than 15 million shopping trips across specialty and larger format retail stores within the U.S., the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rising for the fourth month is a positive sign for retailers going into fall season, and is reflected in uptick in conversion and sales per store of .4% and 4.2%, respectively.



In addition, Index data shows that although physical retailers experienced an average year-over-year decline of 7.9% across traffic, this translated to a less significant reduction in sales of 4%.



Looking at August 2014 performance, RetailNext found that the last two Saturdays in August, which fell close the back-to-school season, experienced the highest levels of traffic, transactions, and sales in the month. Conversion and sales per store were highest on the 28th and 29th, prior to the back-to-school rush. Cool and less severe weather were experienced, supporting traffic and conversion rates for retailers.