Here are comparisons from MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse of revenue from Nov. 1 through 13, compared with with the same two weeks a year earlier:
- CLOTHING: Up 9.7 percent.
In November 2009, clothing sales were down 5 percent from November 2008.
Women's clothing rose 5 percent, while men's clothing was up 10 percent.
SpendingPulse focuses on mall-based chain clothing stores.
- LUXURY: Up 6.7 percent.
In November 2009, spending was down 9 percent from November 2008, when unprecedented deep discounting of up to 80 percent of status brands pulled in shoppers. For SpendingPulse, the category excludes jewelry but includes restaurants and high-end food and clothing stores.
- JEWELRY: Up 8.1 percent.
In November 2009, business was down slightly from the year earlier.
- ELECTRONICS, including appliances: Up 0.7 percent. Deep discounting on flat-panel TVs amid a glut fueled buying but depressed overall sales.
In November 2009, electronics spending rose 5 percent.
-HOME FURNISHINGS: Down 1.3 percent.
In November 2009, business was down 3 percent. The category has struggled amid a weak housing market.
- ONLINE (all categories of goods): Up 11.4 percent.
In November 2009, online sales rose in the high teens.