Econoday Economic Report: Chain Store Sales March 1, 2012

2012 Economic Calendar

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Chain Store Sales

Released On 3/1/2012 For Feb, 2012

Highlights
An overwhelming share of chain stores report greater rates of year-on-year sales growth in February than in January. The results generally beat guidance from the group where however most, in a telling sign, are holding to conservative guidance for March and April.

The month-to-month significance of today's reports points squarely to acceleration, but the question will be settled by the Commerce Department in its February retail sales report to be posted at mid-month. The government's data for January show an unadjusted year-on-year rate of plus 4.8 percent for the ex-auto ex-gas group, which isn't that much different than the roughly 5.0 percent total sales pace that chain stores are reporting today.

Yet even if the ex-auto ex-gas group fails to prove a strength for February, strength in auto sales may help the month while gasoline sales, boosted by rising prices, are very likely to show monthly strength. Auto manufacturers will report unit sales today with anecdotal reports pointing to noticeable strength.

Definition
Monthly sales volumes from individual department, chain, discount, and apparel stores are usually reported on the first Thursday of each month. Chain store sales correspond with roughly 10 percent of retail sales. Chain store sales are an indicator of retail sales and consumer spending trends. There is no official composite number for each month's sales, merely sales figures for individual chains. Also, which chains release monthly numbers varies over time as corporate policies sometimes change in regard to providing monthly numbers to the public in addition to quarterly data. Why Investors Care

2012 Release Schedule

Released On: 1/5 2/2 3/1 4/5 5/3 5/31 7/5 8/2 8/30 10/4 11/1 11/29

Release For: Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

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Actual Data Source: Haver Analytics