The FINANCIAL — National chain-store sales fell 0.2% in the first week of October from the comparable period in September, according to Redbook Research’s latest indicator, released on October 13.
The index’s decline compared with a target for an increase of 0.1%, according to Nasdaq.
The Johnson Redbook Sales Index also showed seasonally adjusted sales for the period improved 1.1% from a year earlier, compared with a target for an increase of 1.5%.
Redbook noted the week started slowly with below-average customer traffic but improved with the approach of the Columbus Day holiday weekend. October marks the final month of the third quarter for most retailers and is a key period for them to meet sales and earnings targets for the three-month period, Redbook said.
Meanwhile, Redbook said merchants reported sales started to build up in key October merchandise areas such as Halloween sales, mid-fall apparel, winter sports items and early holiday shopping.
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