December retail sales holding up

SANDY PARKER REPORT, VOL. 31, ISSUE 42, DEC. 24, 2007
The following extract is reproduced with permission from Sandy Parker Reports, Weekly International Fur News. Sandy Parker has been covering the fur industry for more than four decades. For most of that time he has published a weekly newsletter, detailing results of international pelt auctions, wholesale price trends, business developments and movements in the trade, as well as economic and political activities that may impact on it.
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International Fur News
with Sandy Parker
December retail sales holding up
DECEMBER RETAIL FUR SALES HAVE BEEN BENEFITTING FROM MOSTLY SEASONABLE WEATHER in the key markets around the world, but so far have not been registering sharp gains over last year’s month. Considering that last December turned out to be a disappointment because of unseasonably mild temperatures around the northern hemisphere, merely edging past those figures doesn’t give retailers much to shout about. Nevertheless, as they counted on more holiday business to be done and with more than a week remaining in the month, retailers were optimistic they would finish substantially ahead. Especially, if the weather continues to hold up as the calendar moves into winter.
A check of retailers in the main U.S. markets last week turned up mostly favorable reports but, here and there, also some disappointment. However, the few who are not happy with their figures are not blaming the weather this time. Local economic conditions are cited, particularly plant closings or company downsizings that tend to put a crimp in consumer spending plans. But, nationwide, tight credit along with declining home values and rising prices of gasoline and heating fuel are being blamed for reduced traffic in shopping malls.
CONSISTENT WITH THE ECONOMIC PRESSURES IS THE FUR SALES PATTERN that has been emerging, with better items moving relatively better than popular-price goods. This finds upscale retailers with designer-label and better merchandise drawing better traffic than others, but also other stores moving fashion goods better than classics.
In general, the furriers tended to single out sheared mink as their leading sellers, mostly in jackets and short coats, but also some long coats. These, along with shearlings, sheared beaver jackets and a wide range of accessories. As to full-length regular mink coats, some designer labels at $10,000 and higher were reported sold.
IN THIS ISSUE:
December Retail Sales Holding Up
Mink Prices Ease at Helsinki Sale
Bluefox Prices Advance 10%
For extracts from back issues of Sandy Parker Reports see News Index. Subscribers can access an archive of complete issues at www.sandyparker.com.
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