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U.S. Jewelers Confident Despite Rising Fuel Prices.
Figures released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show total retail sales for September increased from a year ago, despite rising fuel prices and the economic impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Sales of goods, which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants, rose 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from August and increased 7.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for September, excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants, rose 7 percent unadjusted over last year and increased 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted from August. The gains, which led third quarter sales to rise 6.4 percent over 2004, were stronger than NRF had forecast.
With the approach of the all important Holiday Shopping season, U.S. Jewelers are confident of a strong season, notwithstanding the increase in fuel prices and the rising prices of Gold, Platinum, and Silver.
