ShopperTrak Report: Year-over-year retail sales up 0.2% for week ending Oct. 2

Chicago A report released Thursday by ShopperTrak found that year-over-year GAFO (general merchandise, apparel, furniture, sporting goods, electronics, hobby, books and other related store sales) retail sales edged up 0.2% for the week ending Oct. 2, while sales jumped 2.3% versus the previous week ending Sept. 25.

According to ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate, on a yearly level sales slightly increased compared with last year and despite the slightly higher week-over-week rise, retail performance continued at the expected seasonal low pace between Labor Day and Columbus Day.  

Weather also influenced consumer spending patterns last week as relatively warm weather in most of the country, combined with storms throughout the East Coast seemed to slow sales of seasonal fall merchandise.  

ShopperTrak reported GAFO retail sales have increased 34 weeks out of 39 weeks so far this year compared with 2009. 

“Retailers continued to experience slower sales levels last week as Columbus Day approaches but this should begin turning around this week as Columbus Day sales and promotions begin and cooler weather drives fall apparel and merchandise sales,” said Bill Martin, founder of ShopperTrak. “We then will most likely see some stagnant spending until Halloween provides a fairly slight increase followed by another slow period leading up to Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday shopping season on Black Friday.”