Recent Retails Sales News
Retail sales reports for restaurant chains, big box retailers, department stores and specialty shops indicate how stores are performing over a specified period of time.
Generally, retail sales figures explain how a business performed:
- During the current or previous fiscal quarter
- Against the same time last year
- Against the current or previous month
Why Do Investors Review Retail Sales?
Investors watch retail sales, using the figure as an indicator of growth, performance and consumer sentiment.
Retail sales also help investors understand how much of a company’s revenue is made up of direct-to-consumer sales, especially when those businesses are diversified. For example, the Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) makes money through advertising on its multitude of TV networks, movie ticket sales, theme park tickets, hotels and dining. However, the company also makes money through retail sales at its theme parks, Disney Stores and eCommerce sites.
Keen investors can see the trajectory of Disney’s retail business separate from its other revenue streams when reviewing such a report.
Comparing Retail Sales Figures
When investors review and compare retail sales figures, they can judge growth based on how those sales figures climb or fall. While businesses can often explain away dips in retail sales, struggling retail sales can alert investors of a potentially troubled business.
What About National Sales Figures?
While retail sales figures are a good indicator for specific businesses, investors also use the Retail Sales Report as a good indicator of quarterly gross domestic product, of which retail consumers in America make up about 70%.
Check out Benzinga’s retail sales report calendar, looking for companies that interest you — or those which you have invested in — to learn more.