Growth and October Retail Sales and September Jewelry Sales

Retail sales in October increased 0.7 percent from September and 4.7 percent year-over-year led by discretionary purchases and growth in all categories, according to the National Retail Federation.

Meanwhile, October retail sales released by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 6.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

“Retailers’ early holiday promotions seemed to strike the right chord with shoppers last month,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO. “Knowing the economy is still a big factor in customers’ shopping decisions, retailers will continue to offer great deals and exceptional value throughout the holiday season.”

Earlier this month, NRF forecast holiday sales to rise 2.8 percent this year to $466 billion. NRF defines holiday sales as retail industry sales in the months of November and December.

U.S. jewelry store sales for the month of September rose 22 percent year-over-year to $2.12 billion, according to government figures quoted by Rapaport. The consumer price index for jewelry rose 8 percent in September. In its advanced retail summary report for the month of October, also reported by Rapaport, the government said U.S. department store sales fell 0.7 percent to $14.4 billion. Retail trade sales rose 7.3 percent year on year in October. Retail and food sales, excluding automotive related revenue, rose 6.8 percent to $344 billion during the month of October.

Meanwhile, NRF October data for specific retail categories includes the following:

• Electronics and appliance stores’ monthly sales grew the most in two years, increasing 3.7 percent seasonally adjusted over the previous month and 3.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• Unseasonal winter-like weather helped boost traffic at building material and garden equipment stores, whose sales grew 1.5 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and a solid 6.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores’ sales increased 1.3 percent over September and 7 percent unadjusted from the previous year.

• Health and personal care stores sales increased 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted over September and 4.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• Sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores decreased 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted over the previous month, but increased 4.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Report: Kimberley Process Allows Zimbabwe to Sell Marange Field Diamonds

Mathieu Yamba,  Kimberley Process chairperson. Photo credit: www.israeldiamond.co.il

The chairman of the Kimberley Process is allowing Zimbabwe to sell diamonds from the controversial Marange Fields, according to a report from Rapaport News.

The diamond publication said it has obtained a copy of the letter written by Mathieu Yamba, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and letter sent to Kimberley Process participants and observers. It reads in part: “With immediate effect, Zimbabwe is hereby authorized to resume exports from the compliant mining operations of Mbada and Canadile (Marange Resources).”

The exports will include the stockpile of diamonds held from the two concessions as well current production, according to the online publication. He did not authorize exports of diamonds mined between 2007 and 2009, held by various other sources.

The publication also reports that the United States and European Union has objected to the decision. U.S. officials reportedly sent word to KP authorities in India and the United Arab Emirates stating that it would view any shipments proceeding as a result of the decision as non-compliant.

The U.S. also warned that it would publish the names of companies taking delivery of these goods on the State Department website to ensure that U.S. companies are aware of potential non-compliant goods that may be in their supplier’s stocks, and ask the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers U.S. sanctions, to look more closely at the issue of these transactions, the publication reports.

To read more on this ongoing story, please go to the search engine of the blog and type the words "Kimberley Process" or "Zimbabwe."