Connect to today’s credit, economy and business finance news from Charter Capital. Get breaking news, updates and reporting on industry news providing small businesses with up-to-date financial information and resources.
Retail Sales Surge in March
Retail sales advanced for the third straight month in
March, due to milder weather, an early Easter season and
incentives by automakers to buy vehicles. The Commerce
Department reported that sales climbed 1.6% last month,
after an upwardly revised 0.5% gain in February. Compared to
March 2009, sales surged 7.6%. Total sales for the January
through March period were up 5.5% from the same period last
year. Auto sales jumped 6.7% in March from February, the
highest gain since October 2009. However, retail sales
excluding autos still grew 0.6% as gains were reported
across many sectors. The news indicates that consumers are
emerging from their spending hibernation, despite a weak job
market and tight credit.
Sales of building material & garden stores climbed 3.1%
in March, sales at apparel chains jumped 2.3%, furniture and
home furnishing store sales advanced 1.5%, department store
sales grew 1% and sales of general merchandise chains – that
include Walmart and Target – increased 0.6%. Other sectors
posting gains included food and beverage (0.2%), health and
personal care (0.2%), sporting goods, book and music chains
(1%) and restaurants (0.3%). The few sectors posting
declines included electronics and appliance stores (-1.3%)
and gasoline stations (-0.4%).
Return to:
Credit, Economy and Business Finance News
Date Last Updated: 04/14/2010
News Feeds
-Charter Capital Factoring Blog on MerchantCircle
- Factoring Accounts Receivable Blog
- Factoring My Invoices Blog
- Small Business and Invoice Factoring News Blog
- Small Business Factoring and Financial News Blog
- Invoice Factoring and Accounts Receivable Financing Blog
- Accounts Receivables Factoring Blog
- Factoring and Finance Blog for Business
|
 |
