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Thursday, June 05, 2008

Stimulus Checks Boost Retailers?

by Calculated Risk on 6/05/2008 09:39:00 AM

From the WSJ: Some Chains Posts Strong Sales Despite Gas Prices, Low Confidence

Retailers posted stronger-than-expected same-store sales for May [despite a] surge in gasoline prices and tumbling consumer confidence.

Leading the way was Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which reported a 3.9% jump, excluding fuel, in U.S. same-store sales -- double the high end of its forecast of flat to up 2% ...

Even Wal-Mart's home-goods sales, which have been weak for some time, perked up last month and posted its first same-store-sales gain in more than two years.
Overall retailers reported fairly strong sales in May. It looks like $4 gasoline didn't use up the entire stimulus.