Retail sales pick up in US

SANDY PARKER REPORT, VOL. 30, ISSUE 33, OCT. 23, 2006
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
Retail sales pick up in US
THE ARRIVAL OF SEASONABLE TEMPERATURES ACROSS MUCH OF THE UNITED STATES has brought a measure of cheer to fur retailers, as well as a nice pickup in both storage retrievals and new sales. More than halfway through the month, most of those contacted said business was running even to at least slightly better than last October, which turned out to be decent. And, although none were situated anywhere near the western New York region that was blanketed by a well-publicized two feet of snow, some felt it indirectly benefited them.
At this point, sales are described as across-the-board, ranging from shearlings and leathers to mink, the latter mostly sheared, but also including sheared beavers. The preference for lighter-weight and less bulky garments, even in winter apparel, has been growing in recent years, which has promoted the development of processes to lighten the weight of furs, including shearing and the thinning of the leather side, such as has been done with beavers. This also has promoted the sales of knitted and woven furs, which have become important as full garments and such accessories as wraps, scarves and hats.
IMPORTS OF FUR APPAREL INTO THE U.S. dropped sharply in August, continuing the downtrend that began earlier this year. The month’s receipts reflected orders placed at the fairs in Hong Kong, Europe and Canada. These were generally smaller than a year ago, mainly because of unsold stocks carried over from the previous season. Imports from all sources in August amounted to $28.7 million, a decline of 27% from the same month a year ago. This consisted of $11.3 million in mink, down 31%, and $17.4 million in other furs, down 25%. This brought the eight-month aggregate to $115.1 million, a decline of 15% compared with last year’s period.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Retail Sales Pick Up in U.S.
Higher Prices Called No Obstacle
Retail Margins Running Higher
China Reported Halting Imports
U.S. Imports Still Dropping
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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