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Article: Ernst & Young Consumer Trends Center Media Alert; Retail Sales to Moderate Slightly in Second Half of 2005; Consumer Products Companies Look to Luxury and New Markets; Ernst & Young LLP Issues Mid-Year Forecast.
- Article from:
- Business Wire
- Article date:
- August 19, 2005
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Ernst & Young LLP
WHAT: The Ernst & Young Consumer Trends Center confirms an earlier
forecast that U.S. retail sales will grow 6.5 percent in 2005,
compared with an 8.7 percent increase in 2004. The Ernst &
Young Retail Sales Index grew 6.9 percent for the six months
ending June 2005, compared with 10 percent for the same period
in 2004.
Analysts at the Ernst & Young Consumer Trends Center say
first-half retail sales were surprisingly strong in light of
steep increases in oil prices and rising interest rates. They
attribute sales gains for this period to better fashions,
supply ...