Retail spending in early November

Monday, November 22, 2010

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.

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