1. Daily Economic Update
Daily Economic Update
September 14, 2010
 Retail sales were up 0.4 percent in August and 3.6 percent from a year
ago, somewhat higher than expected. Back to school shopping at
general merchandise stores and sports, hobby, and book stores and
sales tax holidays played a role.
 Sales at furniture and home furnishing stores were down slightly (0.5
percent) in August but up 2.4 percent from one year ago. Building
materials, garden equipment and supply dealers saw flat sales in
August but were up 4.9 percent from one year ago. Research suggests
that recent home buyers tend to spend $5,200 on furniture and
remodeling expenses in the first year after their purchase.
 A separate report showed that business inventories rose 1 percent to
nearly 1.376 trillion in July. Sales also increased, and the
inventory/sales ratio was unchanged. Increasing inventories suggest
business confidence and a stable inventory sales ratio suggests that
b i fid d bl i l i h
sales are keeping pace with firms’ expectations.
Produced by NAR Research