Usa: springtime retail sales boom

Goldman Sachs, Lazard and The International Council of Shopping Centers, have all provided very positive news about retail sales trends in March compared to the same month last year.

The index compiled by investment bank Lazard for 49 American department stores and retail chains shows an increase of 7.2% (the same stores one year later) and continues February's excellent and equally positive trend (+7.3%).

The positive trend comes from stores in the clothing sector (on average +9.1%) with Neiman Marcus/Bergdorf Goodman peaking at +25.8%. Gap (+10%), Ann Taylor (+23.6%), Limited (+13.6%), Abercrombie & Fitch (+18%) and American Eagle Outfitters (+17.6%) also recorded significant improvements compared to last year. Saks did reasonably well at +9.5%. Nordstrom (+19.8%) and Federated (Macy's and Bloomingdale's) (+6.8%) also performed well. Swinging between 12 and 14%, "discount" chains (Wal-Mart, Costco, Target and Dollar) also recorded increased sales.