Retailers report higher December sales

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

NEW YORK — A last-minute surge in spending may have saved Christmas for stores.

Major retailers such as Costco and Nordstrom on Thursday reported better-than-expected revenue in December. That comes as a relief for stores that can make up to 40 percent of their annual revenue during the winter holiday shopping period that runs from November through the end of December.

Twenty retailers reported that revenue at stores open at least a year — a figure that indicates a retailers' health — rose an average of 4.5 percent in December compared with the year-ago period, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. That's on the high end of the expected range of 4 percent to 4.5 percent.

Only a small group of chain stores representing about 13 percent of the $2.4 trillion U.S. retail industry report monthly revenue. The list excludes Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's biggest retailer. But the data still offers a snap shot of consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of all economic activity.

Overall, the combined November and December sales figure rose 2.7 percent, slightly shy of the 3 percent rise the ICSC had predicted.

The numbers provide a brighter picture than mid-December sales reports, which painted the season as the worse since 2008. It winded up being a season of fits and starts, with healthy spending during certain periods followed by stretches of tepid growth.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20130103/US.Retail.Sales/

[^_^ 5,021]

Those Obamachecks had to go somewhere. You know Obamavoters don't know the first thing about just putting money in the bank. Why save for a rainy day when big daddy is there to pick you up when you fall?

Obamavoters should all be deported!

[Ontarkie 14,280]

The Patriot - Were you intending this to be a political topic, if so why? I'm leaving it here for now.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The Patriot - Were you intending this to be a political topic, if so why? I'm leaving it here for now.

Money is the mother's milk of politics - Jesse M. Unruh

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

The Patriot - Were you intending this to be a political topic, if so why? I'm leaving it here for now.

Given the underemployment currently in the US, I would argue any economic article will fit the political spectrum. Will this thread get any political commentary? Probably not, since its after the election.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[quote name=' timestamp='1357232615' post='5900597]Those Obamachecks had to go somewhere. You know Obamavoters don't know the first thing about just putting money in the bank. Why save for a rainy day when big daddy is there to pick you up when you fall?

Obamachecks.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

If you haven't yet received your Obamacheck, make sure to follow up on your Obamaphone.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

We haven't received a damn thing. Where are our handouts? WE WERE PROMISED HANDOUTS.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If you haven't yet received your Obamacheck, make sure to follow up on your Obamaphone.

Problem is that the Obamaphone is government issue. Naturally it doesn't work.

We haven't received a damn thing. Where are our handouts? WE WERE PROMISED HANDOUTS.

They fooled you, didn't they?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Problem is that the Obamaphone is government issue. Naturally it doesn't work.

They fooled you, didn't they?

Definitely. I feel cheated.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Definitely. I feel cheated.

Now you know how some of the RUB women feel.

[Darnell 8,478]

We haven't received a damn thing. Where are our handouts? WE WERE PROMISED HANDOUTS.

That's for USCitizens. Prod yer USCitizen Spouse to fill out the proper forms, m'kay?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That's for USCitizens. Prod yer USCitizen Spouse to fill out the proper forms, m'kay?

That can't be it. Wifey and I are both citizens and no Obamachecks here either. Obamaphone don't work so we're like totally bummed out.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Obama's aunt has an Obamaphone. Damn eye-legals always get the handouts first!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Obama's aunt has an Obamaphone.

How about his uncle?