September retail sales figures released Friday seem to indicate that consumers are too afraid to spend $150 on a new coat but happy to lay down $35,000 for a new car. Rather than illustrating a trend in nonsensical budgeting, these figures may be showing us a more fundamental shift in the economy: a growing divide between the haves and the have-nots.
US Retail Sales (Excluding Motor Vehicle and Part Dealers) Chart by YChartsRetailers who have stores filled with less-than-car-priced items have been subtly illustrating this diversion in small versus large spending with earnings reports since this secondary recession caught on. Fewer shoppers are picking up $35 jeans at Aeropostale (ARO) and The Gap (GPS). But the $12 versions at Wal-Mart (WMT) are selling fine, and the $300 variety at Nordstrom (JWN) is very much in demand.
Consider the fates of the more middle-market mall stores. Aeropostale, which caters to teenagers who don’t trust fashion to Wal-Mart and have a little more cash than that to spend, reported same store sales down 14% last quarter vs. a year earlier. American Eagle’s (AEO) sales were flat. The Gap, with its slightly more expensive version of fashion, announced Thursday that it will close 21% of its stores. Investors have treated the shares of these stores accordingly.
Aeropostale Stock Chart by YCharts
Alternatively, Wal-Mart just reported same store sales up for each of the past three months, reversing a two-year slump. Costco (COST) reported same store sales up 10% in the past quarter. Investors are suddenly very interested in these shares.
Wal-Mart Stores Stock Chart by YCharts
But the real sales gains – and an important contributor to U.S. retail sales gains lately – comes from the luxury end of the market. Jeweler Tiffany (TIF) reported same store sales up 24% last quarter. Limited Brands (LTD), whose stores include Henri Bendel and its $500 handbags, just reported sales up 11% in the five weeks to Oct. 1 alone. Even Nordstrom, a department store that sells more than just expensive designer brands, reported a 10.7% rise in same store sales for that period. Again, this is no secret on Wall Street.
Tiffany Stock Chart by YCharts
Yes, Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) reported strong quarterly sales gains, 13.4% and 18.7% respectively. With food and gas prices up and unemployment persisting, it’s an impressive feat. There are few explanations other than the possibility that people have gone so long without buying new cars, there’s pent-up demand. But does it mean that the economy generally is in better shape than other news implies?
Not for everyone. With stock market losses since January a modest 4.5%, despite some hair-raising days, much of the upper middle class and those who have even more money in investments still have money to spend. But someone’s worried enough to move their shopping to Wal-Mart.
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Articles about retail and business sales and Consumer Metrics Institute reports
About the Author
Dee Gill is an editor for the YCharts Pro Investor Service which includes professional stock charts, stock ratings and portfolio strategies. YCharts® Pro offers proven stock ratings, data downloads, portfolio strategies and avanced stock screening. Free 14 Day Trial is available.
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